Source : ABC NEWS
On paper, Aryna Sabalenka’s 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 victory over Clara Tauson in the third round of the Australian Open may appear as if it was a straightforward affair.
But as Sabalenka revealed after the match, it was anything but plain sailing for the world number one.
“So many times I was thinking, ‘OK, I am done’,” Sabalenka said in her on-court interview.
Later at her media conference, Sabalenka expanded on the mental struggle she needed to conquer to defeat the 42nd-ranked Tauson.
“[There were] So many really tough situations,” Sabalenka said.
“I was just staying there. I was trying to put her under pressure. I was trying really hard.
“I was thinking, ‘Wow, that’s tough’.”
Sabalenka has never shied away from speaking about the mental and emotional challenges she has faced during her career.
After her 2023 Australian Open victory, she revealed she had previously lacked self-belief to such an extent she would be confused as to why fans would want her autograph.
Not only did she begin to gain confidence in her ability, but she also developed mental toughness.
“Over the years, I struggle a lot with different stuff,” Sabalenka said on Friday.
“I think all of those difficult experiences make me [a] really, really tough, tough person.”
Against Tauson, Sabalenka needed to call upon her toughness when she trailed the Dane 3-5 in the first set.
The Belarusian fought her way back into the contest to take the set in a tiebreak, before claiming the second in a match lasting just over two hours on Rod Laver Arena.
Sabalenka’s win keeps alive her chances of winning a third straight Australian Open. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)
Sabalenka explained it was a combination of factors that contributed to her fightback, such as her unwillingness to quit.
“I just reminded myself about how strong I am, how much I wanted it when I was a kid, even right now,” she said.
“Then I look in the box. I see all of those people sitting there, cheering me up, helping me to achieve my dreams.
“I cannot just give up because there are so many people in my box who are really doing their best.
“Also, when I hear the support from the crowd, I’m like, ‘C’mon’. I cannot give up that easily.
“All of these three helping me to stay motivated and keep fighting no matter what.”
Sabalenka will play boom Russian 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva in the fourth round.
They met a fortnight ago in the Brisbane International semifinals, with Sabalenka winning in straight-sets.
But Andreeva triumphed when they faced off in last year’s French Open quarterfinals.
Andreeva, who is seeded 14th at Melbourne Park, progressed via a 6-2, 1-6, 6-2 defeat of Poland’s Magdalena Frech.
