Three-time Grand Slam champion regains momentum in California. Photo credit: Tennis Temple
(The Post News)- Aryna Sabalenka is beginning to shake off the disappointment of her Australian Open defeat, finding her rhythm again after a convincing second-round victory at Indian Wells on Saturday.
The world No. 1 was devastated after falling short of a third consecutive title in Melbourne. She was visibly emotional as she smashed her racket and buried her face in a towel following her loss to Madison Keys. Subsequent early exits at the Qatar Open and Dubai only added to her frustrations.
However, Sabalenka appeared back in control in California, displaying dominance with her powerful serve and cruising past American McCartney Kessler in straight sets without facing a single break point.
Reflecting on her struggles, Sabalenka admitted that the Australian Open final left her deeply disappointed, making it difficult to move on. The losses in the Middle East only compounded her thoughts, as she found herself dwelling on what went wrong. Despite that, she believes it was a necessary process to learn and reset.
“I had to take a step back and start over,” she shared, noting that she now feels much better and has put the final behind her. Viewing it as a learning experience, she hopes to avoid similar setbacks in the future.
Indian Wells, where she was a finalist last year, has provided the perfect opportunity for a fresh start. The Belarusian enjoys the atmosphere and considers the event to have the same intensity as a Grand Slam, particularly with the Miami Open following closely behind. The challenge, she noted, is more manageable mentally compared to other tournaments.
Sabalenka will look to build on her strong start when she faces unseeded Italian Lucia Bronzetti in the third round on Monday.
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