Aryna Sabalenka may be playing Elena Rybakina in the Indian Wells final, but when giving her press conference, which had yet to be confirmed.
As such, the Belarusian was asked to give her verdict on both of her potential opponents, reserving special praise for both semi-finalists.
Naturally, many expected Rybakina to come out on top, as she did.
But Aryna Sabalenka held plenty of admiration for Svitolina, stating as much despite her loss.
Aryna Sabalenka praises Elina Svitolina’s tennis
The world number one admitted: “Yeah, she’s incredible player. To be honest, to see the level she was able to bring on-court after pregnancy, that’s so inspiring and so cool to see.
“All of the matches we played against each other, it’s always been, like, really tough battles. It’s always been a show and a great level.
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“If it’s going to be Elina, I’m also excited, because I know it’s going to be a battle and a show. I’m super excited.”
Sabalenka beat Svitolina at the Australian Open, where she then lost to Rybakina in the final.
The four-time Grand Slam champion will be keen to right those wrongs at Indian Wells tomorrow.
Aryna Sabalenka’s difficult run to the Indian Wells final
Whilst her upcoming final against Rybakina is arguably the toughest match-up she could have possibly received, Sabalenka has had to dig deep beforehand to even reach this stage.
After all, she has beaten some truly top-level players on her way to the final, all without dropping a single set.
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The 27-year-old began her campaign with two straightforward wins over Himeno Sakatsume and Jaqueline Cristian, before facing Naomi Osaka in the Round of 16.
Many tipped this to be a thriller, but Sabalenka was just too good. Again, she won with ease.
Victoria Mboko posed a threat in the first set of their quarter-final match, but after Sabalenka once again flexed her tiebreak superiority, she won comfortably again.
Similarly, Linda Nosková was powerless to stop Sabalenka, and it is now down to Rybakina to halt what seems to be an unstoppable force in the California desert.
