By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Sunday, February 9, 2025
Picture credit score: Cameron Spencer/Getty
Aryna Sabalenka’s grandest Slam sparked main ache.
Reflecting on her three-set loss to Madison Keys in final month’s Australian Open closing traditional, Sabalenka stated the setback was her “hardest” loss.
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A brave Keys dethroned two-time defending champion Sabalenka 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in an inspirational AO showdown pitting premier energy gamers that escalated into beautiful slugfest on Rod Laver Enviornment.
Assembly the media in Doha right now, Sabalenka stated the dramatic finish of her AO reign was such a stinging loss it took her a couple of week to recuperate.
“This one was the hardest one,” Sabalenka informed the media in Doha forward of the Qatar Complete Energies Open. “I believe for per week I used to be nonetheless interested by that match.”
These ideas led two-time AO champion Sabalenka to 1 conclusion: She didn’t lose the match, Keys stepped up and received it.
In a magical Melbourne run, newlywed Keys toppled the world No. 1 and world No. 2 back-to-back, defeating three Grand Slam champions in fierce three-setters alongside the way in which to seize her first Grand Slam crown.
“Truthfully, wanting again and interested by these two misplaced video games [in the decisive set], I didn’t do something flawed, she simply performed out of her thoughts, and it was her day,” Sabalenka stated. “Th ere’s nothing to remorse.
“I believe proper now I’m totally recovered after that robust match.”
The highest-seeded Sabalenka opens season’s first WTA 1000 occasion towards Ekaterina Alexandrova, who swept Emma Raducanu 6-3, 7-5 in her opener right now.
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