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By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday October 10 2021

 
Aliaksandra Sasnovich

First Emma Raducanu, now Simona Halep. Aliaksandra Sasnovich is off to a flying start at the BNP Paribas Open.

Photo Source: Getty

By any standard, it has been by a fantastic week for Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich. Given the fact that the former World No.30 had not won three consecutive matches on tour in over two and a half years, her giant-killing run to the round of 16 is even more remarkable.

Tennis Express

While many were circling a potential third-round matchup between 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu and Simona Halep expectantly, Sasnovich was planning her own party at the BNP Paribas Open.

After today’s 7-5, 6-4 victory over the 2015 champion and No.11 seed Halep, the Belarusian has recorded her best performance at Indian Wells. Sasnovich played aggressively against the two-time Slam champion, winning 82 percent of her first-serve points and cracking 22 winners to notch her 16th career Top-20 win and set a date with compatriot Victoria Azarenka in the round of 16.


“It’s very funny because when I saw the quarter of the draw, I saw three Grand Slam champions and Aliaksandra Sasnovich, I was in this quarter – it was funny for me," Sasnovich told the crowd after her triumph.

Sasnovich said that nerves played a part down the stretch as she realized what she was about to accomplish. Nevertheless, she broke Halep at love for 5-4 in set two, then served out the match, converting her first match point to close the victory in one hour and 39 minutes.

“I was so nervous in the end because I wanted to win so much, because you never know,” she said on court after the win. “Like 30 percent for me 70 percent for her, she can beat me, but okay, I just go, just enjoy. And I won? Wow!”

 

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