Aryna Sabalenka acknowledged it wasn’t easy dealing with Iga Swiatek saving multiple match points but also underlined that she didn’t expect anything less from the Pole and that her mindset was to try to continue to play her game because that ultimately put her in a position to be so close to a win in their Cincinnati semifinal clash.
In what was their third meeting of the year, Sabalenka came out determined to make a statement early on and she managed to do so with a very dominant game that led to the third-seeded Belarusian opening a very comfortable 6-3 5-1 lead. But after Sabalenka won five consecutive games and it looked like she was going to routinely close out the match, Swiatek refused to quit as the Pole won a thriller seventh game after saving seven match points.
With a chance to serve out for the match, Sabalenka had two more match points – but the world No. 1 also saved those to cut the deficit to 3-5. And after Swiatek earned a game point in the following game, it definitely started to seem like the top seed might be inching toward fully getting back into the second set.
But then, the Belarusian two-time Grand Slam champion showed great mental strength to clinch her 10th match point in that game – and realize it – to complete her two-set win in an hour and 50 minutes of play.
Later, 26-year-old Sabalenka was asked on Tennis Channel to share was going through her head when Swiatek was saving all of those match points and threatening to get back into the match.
“That was definitely the toughest moment of the match. I kept telling myself, ‘She’s world No. 1. She’s gonna keep fighting and trying her best. You gotta stay aggressive. You gotta put her under pressure. You’ve gotta play your tennis and just go for it.’ That was kind of my mentality in the tough moments,” Sabalenka explained on Tennis Channel.
Sabalenka on beating Swiatek and ‘breaking the wall’
After losing to Swiatek at the 2023 WTA Finals and also in the finals of this year’s WTA 1000 tournaments in Madrid and Rome, Sabalenka was hoping to end her three-match losing streak to the Pole. And she went out and earned her win with her game.
Right from the start, it was clear that Sabalenka’s plan was to go for her shots and try to be in control of everything. And whenever the Pole had a second serve, the Belarusian went all in. In the end, Sabalenka won a stunning 24 of 30 points played on Swiatek’s second serve.
“Honestly nothing. There are zero thoughts. Only about tennis. About the next ball coming. Just hitting and trying to make the right decisions. There’s nothing in your head. You’re just in the zone,” Sabalenka noted.
For Sabalenka, the Swiatek win also secured her first final ticket in Cincinnati. Previously, the 26-year-old Belarusian lost in the Cincinnati semifinal stage in 2018, 2022 and 2023.
“It sounds like I broke the wall finally. I’m super happy. After such a tough battle against Iga, I’m super happy with the win,” Sabalenka said on the court.
Sabalenka on how much defeating Swiatek means for her confidence
After struggling with a shoulder injury and then not looking her best after returning at the start of the North American hard-court swing, Sabalenka definitely improved in Cincinnati. And after earning her fourth win over the Polish five-time Grand Slam champion, the Belarusian will head to the US Open very confident.
“This definitely gave me a lot of confidence going to the US Open. But it’s already in the past… if I’m gonna focus on this win, I’m gonna be staying in the past. I’m really happy with the win. It was a brilliant performance from me. But I just want to focus on staying in the moment and bringing my best tennis every time I’m on court. Trying to stay calm, confident, & aggressive on court,” Sabalenka said.
Last year, Sabalenka made her first US Open final – which she was up by a set before Coco Gauff stormed back to win in three sets.
