When three-time Madrid champion Aryna Sabalenka broke serve for 4-0 within the first set of her 6-1, 6-4 win over Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian on Saturday in Madrid it was fairly clear that the World No. 1 was within the groove. She’d be examined because the match performed out, however finally rode her scorching hand into the fourth spherical in Madrid, taking her 2026 report to enhance to 25-1 on the season and 25-4 lifetime at Madrid.
After the match Sabalenka known as the one-handed backhand the shot of her life.
Sprinting to her left, she uncoiled and unleashed a fairly backhand that sailed down the road for a clear winner. A particular shot from a particular participant, and a testomony to all of the exhausting work she does off the court docket to develop her expertise as a shotmaker.
“Did you see that? That was loopy,” Sabalenka stated.
Requested what number of one-handed backhands she has hit in her life, Sabalenka stated.
“Properly, we really apply, lefty and one-handed again earlier than every apply, so I’ve hit it fairly slightly. However to hit it on the match and to hit it as a winner, most likely that was the shot of my life.
“I’m ready for Roger [Federer] to remark. Any suggestions?”
Sabalenka will face Naomi Osaka within the spherical of 16 on Monday in Madrid.
