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The new world no.1 Aryna Sabalenka beat the Italian tennis player Jasmine Paolini 6-4, 7-6 (4) in one hour and 37 minutes of play at the China Open 2023. The Italian tennis player's playing style seems to create more than one problem for Sabalenka, who has often tried to get out of the exchange with complicated solutions.
Paolini managed to put the queen of the WTA Tour in difficulty and only the tie-break prevented her from taking the match to the third and decisive set.
Sabalenka praises Paolini after the match won in Beijing
The Belarusian, in the press conference, demonstrated that she has deep respect for Paolini.
She explained: "We had already faced each other on several occasions, so I knew her game very well. I know what she can do on the pitch. She moves well and the ball often comes back to your side of the pitch against her.
She forces you to work hard if you want to beat her and get the win.
In the second set tiebreaker, the one thing I kept telling myself was: Keep playing aggressively.
I knew I had to give my all if I wanted to avoid the third set. I'm happy to have managed to bring home the second set and close the match.
I think she played an excellent level, but in key moments I was good at finding my best tennis. This is the most important thing." The player is currently facing Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals. She said: "It's always very tough battles against her, I know perfectly well what awaits me tomorrow (They are playing now - ed.).
I have to focus on myself, play aggressively and try to impose my rhythm for as long as possible. I know I can win this match. I still remember the last time I lost to her, I got a little nervous then. The key will be not to rush too much."