Aryna Sabalenka is closing in on her career-best winning streak after a commanding performance against qualifier Mananchaya Sawangkaew at the China Open. The world number two, competing for the first time since her US Open victory, showcased her resilience and skill, overcoming a slow start to secure a 6-4, 6-1 win in just 76 minutes.
In the opening set, Sawangkaew proved to be a formidable opponent, breaking back to level the match at 4-4, which put pressure on Sabalenka. However, the Belarusian quickly regained her composure, displaying her powerful serve and aggressive baseline play. She took control of the set in the crucial ninth game, breaking Sawangkaew once more to take a 5-4 lead, ultimately closing out the set.
The second set saw Sabalenka shift into high gear. After a brief struggle in the first, she found her rhythm and rattled off five straight games, demonstrating the dominance that has characterized her recent performances. This victory marked her 13th consecutive win, inching her closer to matching the best winning streak of her career.
Despite the one-sided scoreline in the second set, Sabalenka acknowledged the challenges she faced during the match. "She's playing great tennis. In the first set, she played incredibly well. It was really difficult to compete against her," she said, praising her opponent's efforts.
With this victory, Sabalenka not only continues her impressive form but also builds momentum as she aims to capture the title at the China Open. As she gears up for the upcoming matches, the tennis world will be watching closely to see if she can extend her winning streak and add another trophy to her collection.
