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By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday Febuary 22, 2023

 
Aryna Sabalenka

Aryna Sabalenka rallied past Jelena Ostapenko for her 13th consecutive victory on Wednesday in Dubai.

Photo Source: Getty

Faced with a defending champion that was playing out of her skull, Aryna Sabalenka, bolstered by newfound confidence, rallied from a set down to cruise past Jelena Ostapenko and into the quarterfinals at the Dubai Duty Free Championships, 2-6, 6-1 6-1, on Wednesday.

Tennis Express

Make it 13 wins on the trot for the World No.2. It may be Iga Swiatek’s WTA Tour right now, but 2023 Australian Open champion Sabalenka is providing constant reminder that the Pole isn’t the only player with the capacity to dominate.


“To be honest, she played unbelievable tennis in the first set,” Sabalenka said after her win. “I wasn't really ready for that fast tennis. She was just getting everything, and everything was in. I don't know, magically I turn around this match, start playing even more aggressive, step in a little bit, put her under pressure, especially on her serve. It's worked well.

“Just super happy with this win.”

Sabalenka will face either Barbora Krejcikova or Petra Kvitova on Thursday in Dubai.

Sabalenka improved to 2-0 lifetime against last year’s Dubai champ, finishing the match with 25 winners and 17 unforced errors, as she did not face a break point in set two or three.

She holds an 11-14 record when dropping the first set since the start of 2022.

Earlier on Wednesday in Dubai Swiatek continued her dominant form with a 6-1 6-0 triumph over Liudmila Samsonova – the Pole has dropped just eight games in her last five matches. Additionally, she received a walkover into the semifinals, as Karolina Pliskova pulled out of the quarterfinals due to illness.

For more about Wednesay’s earlier action in Dubai, CLICK HERE.

 

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