Sabalenka vs Anisimova: Strategic Play Shines in Roland Garros Quarter Finals 🎾

The Sabalenka vs Anisimova match at the Roland Garros quarter-finals was a thrilling encounter, showcasing Aryna Sabalenka’s strategic prowess. As the world No.1, Sabalenka displayed her evolving game, blending variety with her renowned power play to secure a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Amanda Anisimova. This win marked her third consecutive advance to the quarter-finals in Paris, reinforcing her Grand Slam winning streak.

Match Overview 🌟

In the Sabalenka vs Anisimova match, Amanda Anisimova, a former teenage sensation on the clay courts of Paris, aimed to leverage her strong record against Sabalenka. Despite having defeated Sabalenka in five of their seven prior encounters, Anisimova encountered a new challenge. While she matched Sabalenka’s power, the variety and speed of Sabalenka’s play proved decisive.

Initially, Sabalenka took control with a 4-1 lead. Although Anisimova leveled the score at 5-all, Sabalenka’s resilience shone through. Her strategic serving, highlighted by three aces in a crucial game, helped clinch the first set after 50 minutes.

Sabalenka’s Strategic Play Analysis 🧐

In the second set, Sabalenka’s strategic play analysis revealed her adaptability. By mixing baseline power with drop shots and slices, she secured an early break. Her 10th ace extended the lead to 5-2. Despite Anisimova’s determined effort to save six match points in a lengthy 11-minute game, Sabalenka held firm. This set the stage for her quarter-final clash with eighth seed Zheng Qinwen.

Key Statistics 📊

This Roland Garros quarter-finals victory made Sabalenka the first player to reach 10 consecutive Grand Slam quarter-finals since Serena Williams. Her performance included 11 aces, the highest in a tour-level match since her 13 aces in Washington against Kamilla Rakhimova. Notably, both players were close in terms of winners, with Sabalenka hitting 29 to Anisimova’s 24. However, Sabalenka’s forehand was particularly effective, accounting for 20 winners compared to Anisimova’s 12. Sabalenka also committed 19 unforced errors, three fewer than her opponent.

Anisimova’s Clay Court Performance 🎾

Anisimova’s clay court performance was commendable, given her history of success at Roland Garros. According to this article, despite a break from the sport, her return to the top 20 highlights her resilience. Her ability to challenge top players is a testament to her skill and determination.

Sabalenka’s Perspective

Reflecting on the Sabalenka vs Anisimova match, Sabalenka acknowledged Anisimova’s strong play. “She’s a great player, and we’ve had tough battles in the past,” she stated. “I focused on applying pressure and changing the rhythm to disrupt her game.” After a bout of food poisoning affected her performance in last year’s quarter-final, Sabalenka remains vigilant about her health. “I’ve learned my lesson and will be cautious about my health,” she emphasized. “I’m eager to succeed in this tournament. I love this place and aim to be here until the final day.”

For those interested in understanding strategic play in tennis, this article offers valuable insights into different tactics players use to outmaneuver opponents. Sabalenka’s strategic approach in this match exemplifies these tactics.