Aryna Sabalenka claimed the 2023’s first WTA title at the Adelaide International 1 on Sunday. The second seed defeated 18-year-old qualifier, Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic 6-3, 7-6(4) in an hour and 43 minutes. Sabalenka didn’t concede a set throughout the tournament.
Sabalenka finished the match with 12 aces and seven double faults to Noskova’s six aces and eight double faults. The former world no. 2 put in only 42% of her first serves to Noskova’s 57% but won 93% of her first-serve points to the latter’s 74%.
She also won 55% second-serve points and 60% points on return on Noskova’s second serve. The match had just the one break of serve – of Noskova’s – with Sabalenka saving all three break points she faced.
Adelaide International 1: Aryna Sabalenka finds her winning groove back
Post-match, Sabalenka said, “I think my serve helped me a lot, today especially. I think I didn’t give her much opportunities on my serve.
I was able to put her under pressure on her serve. So, I think that’s why I won today”. This is also the third time in her career that Sabalenka’s won a tournament in the first week of a new season. Back in 2019 and 2021, she won titles at the Shenzhen Open and Abu Dhabi Open respectively.
In the May of the latter year, after claiming the title at the Mutua Madrid Open, Sabalenka hit a dry patch for the rest of that year and the entirety of 2022. Speaking about her evolution as a player across these years, Sabalenka said, “I think I’m a different player right now.
Maybe a little bit smarter, a little bit calmer on court. Just a little bit of everything changed”. Overall, the Adelaide International 1 title’s the 11th event Aryna Sabalenka’s won in her career. Photo Credit: WTA Twitter
