The world number two was pushed to the limit in her opening match by the American outsider ranked 64
INDIAN WELLS – Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka saved four match points and needed four of her own to earn a 6-7 , 6-2, 7-6 victory over Payton Stearns on Saturday at the Indian Wells Masters.
The world number two was pushed to the limit in her opening match by the American outsider ranked 64th. The match became a struggle from the start for Sabalenka, who was coming off an opening match loss in Dubai in February. But she broke Stearns as the American served for the biggest upset of her career leading 5-4 in the third set, and taking a 40-0 lead. Sabalenka saved one match point with a stinging backhand winner and Stearns began to tighten up, Sabalenka breaking for 5-5. Stearns would break Sabakenka again but couldn't serve it out and Sabalenka prevailed in the tiebreaker. The double Grand Slam winner finally advanced into the third round on her fourth opportunity, letting out a yell of triumph and relief. "This match will definitely go into the book of craziest matches and the best matches of my career," she said. Sabalenka also rolled her ankle during the intense evening struggle but said she will be ready for her next match."Now I feel OK, we'll see tomorrow. But I have a great team, and I'm pretty sure they will take care of it so for the next match I will be ready." She added: "I'm super happy that I didn't give up on that score, and I was really pushing myself hard. "Even though I didn't play my best tennis and she was crushing it like crazy, I was trying to stay in the game and keep fighting for every point." Sabalenka, runner-up to Elena Rybakina in the California desert last year, booked a third-round meeting with 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu of Britain. Newly elected President Asif Zardari to take oath todayChina youth unemployment: Beijing admits structural issues as country produces record college graduatesPM seeks final implementation schedule for PIA's privatization
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Indian Film Industry Appreciates Pakistani SongRenowned Indian film stars Rani Mukerji and Ayushmann Khurrana show their appreciation for a Pakistani song, sparking fears of potential appropriation.
Read more »
Renowned Indian ghazal legend Pankaj Udhas dies on MondayRenowned Indian ghazal and playback singer Pankaj Udhas passed away on Monday following an extended period of illness
Read more »
Gaza ceasefire talks show no sign of progress, no deal likely by RamazanIsrael and Hamas blamed each other for the lack of agreement after four days of talks
Read more »
Osaka, Raducanu and Wozniacki reach Indian Wells second roundFormer world number one Venus Williams was heading for victory before losing the last 10 games
Read more »
Abdullah Kadwani reacts to Indian remake of ‘Tere Bin’Abdullah Kadwani, the producer of 'Tere Bin,' has finally issued a statement regarding the recent rumors surrounding a potential I...
Read more »
Girona reclaim second spot, Atletico suffers a shock defeatAtletico are now in danger of missing out on a top-four finish.
Read more »