Sabalenka's Rise to the Top: A Look into the Belarusian Tennis Phenom & Semifinal Predictions
With the Australian Open semi-finals in sight, Aryna Sabalenka is proving to be a force to be reckoned with. If you have not been following the Australian Open closely, it's time to pay attention as Sabalenka has secured her spot in the semi-finals and is showing no signs of slowing down. But before we dive into her current success, let's take a look at her background and rise to stardom in the world of professional tennis.
Saba's Rise to the Top
Aryna Sabalenka, a Belarusian professional tennis player, began her journey at the young age of 6. Her father happened to drive by a tennis court and decided to give it a try.From that moment on, Sabalenka began honing her skills and quickly made a name for herself on the ITF circuit in Belarus. Saba set herself apart from the rest with her aggressive style of play, characterized by her powerful groundstrokes and strong return game, as well as her ability to accumulate high numbers of winners.
In 2017, Sabalenka made her Fed Cup debut and led the Belarus team to a runner-up finish alongside Aliaksandra Sasnovich. This performance put her on the map as a rising star in the world of professional tennis. The following year, Sabalenka made her breakthrough on the WTA Tour, reaching 4 finals and achieving 8 top-10 victories. In 2019, she continued her success in singles, winning 3 titles in China, and ended the year with a WTA Elite Trophy win. Sabalenka also had success in doubles, winning the Indian Wells Open and the Miami Open with Elise Mertens.
Sabalenka's breakout year in Grand Slam tournaments came in 2021, where she reached the semifinals of the Wimbledon Championships and the US Open. Furthermore, she also won the doubles title at the 2021 US Open and the 2021 Australian Open alongside Elise Mertens.
Off the court, Sabalenka is a determined and fierce competitor, known for her exceptional work ethic and never-give-up attitude. Her spot in the semi-finals of the Australian Open is a testament to her hard work and dedication to the sport. Sabalenka is a player to watch out for and she is showing the world that she is a force to be reckoned with.
The rise of Aryna Sabalenka in the world of professional tennis has been nothing short of impressive. Her aggressive style of play and strong return game has made her a formidable opponent on the court. Her breakout year in Grand Slam tournaments in 2021 established her as a major player in the world of professional Woman’s tennis. With her spot in the semi-finals of the Australian Open, Sabalenka continues to make her mark in the sport and her journey to the top is far from over. The Australian open is the perfect stage for her to showcase her talent and make a statement.
Quarterfinal Recap: Sabalenka vs Vekic
In her quarterfinal match against Vekic, Sabalenka dominated the match winning in straight sets 6-3, 6-4. Saba put on a clinic in powerful and aggressive play. From the first game, she took control of the match with her strong groundstrokes and return game. Her serve was also a weapon, consistently hitting aces and putting pressure on Vekic.
Sabalenka's style of play is characterized by her ability to hit a high number of winners, and this match was no different. She was relentless in her attack, and Vekic couldn't keep up. Despite Vekic's attempts to mount a comeback in the second set, Sabalenka was determined to close out the match in style, finishing it off with a beautiful backhand winner.
When asked about managing the pressure from Vekic's returns, Sabalenka stated, "I just kept saying to myself, 'stay in the game, fight for it, and don't give her easy points.' I made her work for it, and that's how I was able to get out of those situations."
It's worth noting that Saba's performance in this match was not only impressive but also consistent with her recent form. She has been playing some of the best tennis of her career and is looking like a serious contender for the title.
Semi Final: Sabalenka (-440) vs Linnette (+350)
As we move on to the semi-finals, Sabalenka will be facing Magda Linnette who defeated Karolina Pliskova in the quarters to reach her first Grand Slam semi-final. Linnette has been on fire in this tournament, with impressive victories over No. 16 seed Anett Kontaveit, No. 19 Ekaterina Alexandrova, and No. 4 Caroline Garcia. Kontaveit was the only player to even take a set off the 45th-ranked Pole. It's easy to say her opponents didn't play their best, and that certainly looked like the case for both Garcia and Pliskova, but Linette still threw them off their game. This is uncharted territory for the 30-year-old Linette, who had failed to advance past the third round of a Grand Slam prior to this tournament. Linette has won only seven games across two previous meetings with Sabalenka, but the tale of the tape didn't support her chances in any of the previous four matches, either, yet here she is.
But lets cut the shit, Saba has a 2-0 head-to-head record against Linette, and has won all 18 sets she's played this season. She's got the tools and the confidence to take down Linette, and I have no doubt in my mind that she'll come out on top. Sabalenka's explosive forehand is a major weapon during her matches, and she'll look to utilize this against Linette. Sabs will also be aggressive on return and pounce on any short second serves from Linette. Linette, on the other hand, will aim to serve well, be aggressive, and come into the net.
Sabalenka's only real opponent is herself and her mental game has improved greatly as evidenced by her recent performances. She is currently in a great headspace and ready to face anything that come her way. In a post match press conference, Sabalenka stated "I have this belief that no matter what happens on court I'll be able to get through it".
Her consistency throughout the tournament has been impressive, and I believe that she will continue on this track. She is playing the best tennis of her career and is the current favorite for the title (+110). With her spot in the semi-finals, Saba is proving to the world that she is a force to be reckoned with and is ready to take on any challenge that comes her way.
Sabalenka has a history of falling short in semi-final matches with semi final loses at Wimbleton and the US Open in 2021 and at the US Open again last year. Some even call it a curse. But there is no curse strong enough to prevent Sabalenka from beating Linnette. In their two prior matches Sablanka has 24 games to Linnettes 7. I cannot see any scenario where Saba loses this match. In my opinion, Saba is the clear favorite to win and I expect her to go on to win the tournament. I'll be placing my bets on Saba and I suggest you do the same.
Best Bets:
Under 20.5 Games -105
Sabalenka to win 2:0 (Same as Set spread of -1.5) -165
Sabalenka - 4.5 Games -130
Sabalenka Set 1 Game Spread -2.5 -115
