Aryna Sabalenka defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova, 6-4, 6-4, in the second round of the Berlin Open.
The world number one was in fine form as she won her first grass-court match of the year.
Sabalenka eased past Alexandrova, a top-20 player in her own right, booking her place in the quarter-finals, where she will meet Nikola Bartunkova.
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During her post-match interview, Sabalenka was asked to rate her performance out of 10.
Aryna Sabalenka gives herself a six or seven out of 10 for her first win on grass this season
“I mean, I would give myself a seven, maybe a six, there is always a gap to improve,” she said.
“But definitely happy with the win; she’s a really tough opponent, especially on the grass court, super happy the way I handled it.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Ekaterina Alexandrova – Match stats
| Stats | Aryna Sabalenka | Ekaterina Alexandrova |
| Aces | 2 | 2 |
| Double faults | 0 | 1 |
| 1st Serve % | 86% | 91% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 76% | 53% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 38% | 60% |
| Break points | 3/8 | 1/5 |
“Happy to be back, happy to play in front of you all and enjoy this incredible support, thank you.”
The interview then took a strange turn, as Sabalenka was asked how often she wakes up thinking ‘life is terrific’ as world number one.
“Never!” she said.
“I think if I would wake up like that, I wouldn’t be number one for so many weeks.
Weeks at #1 – WTA singles
- 1. Steffi Graf – 377 weeks
- 2. Martina Navratilova – 332 weeks
- 3. Serena Williams – 319 weeks
- 4. Chris Evert – 260 weeks
- 5. Martina Hingis – 209 weeks
- 6. Monica Seles – 178 weeks
- 7. Iga Swiatek – 125 weeks
- 8. Ashleigh Barty – 121 weeks
- 9. Justine Henin – 117 weeks
- 10. Lindsay Davenport – 98 weeks
- 11. Aryna Sabalenka – 95 weeks
“I wake up every day thinking about how I can improve myself, so I can stay longer in this position.”
The interviewer then asked the following question.
“I talked once to Roger Federer, he told me there is number one, and then there is everyone else, is he right?” he asked.
“I don’t think he said that,” Sabalenka replied.
“It’s a tough one, what I can say is that there are no easy matches, the top players always look for that 1% to improve.
“Maybe, for now, I’m good at this, maybe a little bit better than other girls, which I wouldn’t say. To be honest, I think we all are really tough. Every time you face anyone, basically, it’s a battle; you have to bring your best tennis, otherwise you’re not going to get the win.
“I wouldn’t agree with that, but probably this is the mentality I should have! I don’t know?”
Finally, Sabalenka shared how much she enjoys being the favourite and accepts the pressure that comes with it.
“Well, for me, I like to be the one that everyone is chasing, I like to have that target on my back,” she said.
“I love tough challenges, and being the favourite means that you have that target on your back.
“Bring it on, I’m ready.”
Sabalenka is ready for all challengers, but who else could she play in Berlin?
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Before Sabalenka walked onto Centre Court, Coco Gauff lost to Paula Badosa.
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She's out of the Berlin Open…
Gauff’s fellow seeds, Diana Shnaider (first round) and Amanda Anisimova (withdrew), also failed to reach the quarter-finals.
Still, there are several talented players Sabalenka could meet in Berlin.
She will play the young Czech, Bartunkova, in the quarter-finals, who reached the final of a WTA 125 event in Birmingham recently.
Then, Sabalenka could face Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, or Karolina Muchova in the semis.
The Belarusian will likely need a better performance than a ‘six out of 10’ to reach the final, where she may play her biggest rival, Elena Rybakina.
Rybakina defeated Sabalenka in the Australian Open final earlier this year, as the world number one fell to a fourth Grand Slam final loss.
She would surely love another shot at revenge in Berlin, but won’t want to get ahead of herself.
First, Sabalenka will play Bartunkova in the quarter-finals on Friday, June 19.
