Aryna Sabalenka completed a double triumph over Paula Badosa after also beating her best friend in singles at the World Tennis League.
In the opening match of Friday’s programme in Abu Dhabi, the world No. 1 and Mirra Andreeva dismantled the Spaniard and Iga Swiatek 6-1.
Then, the Belarusian tennis star – who represents Team Hawks – returned to the court for singles and ousted Team Eagles’ Badosa 6-2.
During the match, Sabalenka fired two aces – didn’t face a single break point – and also converted two of four of her break point opportunities in 26 minutes of action.
Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa© World Tennis League/X – Fair Use
By also clinching a win in singles, the three-time Grand Slam champion basically sealed the deal as Team Hawks completed a 21-14 win over Team Eagles.
Head high, so are her wings 🧡⁰⁰@SabalenkaA has been having a wonderful form – let’s hope the fire lasts till the end 🔥🎾⁰⁰#worldtennisleague #eagles #teameagles #honorfxeagles #honorfx #hawks #teamhawks #toyamsportslimited #wtl #live #etihadarena #abudhabi #uae pic.twitter.com/czS1aY34ZR
— World Tennis League (@TennisWorl76726) December 20, 2024
How Sabalenka beat Badosa at the World Tennis League?
In the very first game of the match, the world No. 1 earned two consecutive break points. While she didn’t realize the first one, she was successful in her second attempt – which came at deuce on a deciding point.
Two games later, the former world No. 2 served out to love the third game and managed to get on the board.
But Sabalenka remained rock-solid on her serve and opened a 4-2 lead before breaking Badosa again in the seventh game to open a very comfortable 5-2 lead.
Up by a double break, the reigning Australian Open and US Open champion had no issues closing out the match on her serve in the eighth game.
So far, the world No. 1 has gone 4-4 at the World Tennis League – she also beat Elena Rybakina on Thursday and also won her doubles match with Andreeva versus Rybakina and Caroline Garcia.
Tennis World USA