Aryna Sabalenka’s victory at the Cincinnati Open has solidified her as a formidable competitor for the upcoming US Open. After a challenging season, Sabalenka claimed her first title since her Australian Open triumph by defeating Jessica Pegula in straight sets. This win marked the end of a difficult period for Sabalenka, who had been struggling since her early success in January.
Following her victory at the Cincinnati Open, Sabalenka proudly hoisted the Rookwood Cup after the women’s championship match at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio. Reflecting on her journey, Sabalenka expressed deep gratitude towards her team, acknowledging the challenges they had faced together and the continuous efforts to improve and persevere.
Sabalenka’s season took an unexpected turn after her Australian Open win, beginning with a quarterfinal exit at the French Open against rising Russian star Mirra Andreeva. Her challenges were compounded by a severe shoulder injury that forced her to withdraw from Wimbledon. This injury, which particularly impacted her serve, posed a significant obstacle, and despite rigorous rehabilitation, Sabalenka struggled to regain full fitness in time for Wimbledon. This period of struggle raised concerns about her form and fitness, casting a shadow over her season.
In an interview before the Cincinnati Open, Sabalenka opened up about her struggles, describing the pain and frustration she had been enduring due to her rare shoulder injury. The injury had made serving particularly challenging, despite being able to practice and hit groundstrokes. The injury, affecting her teres major muscle, was a rare occurrence among tennis players, adding to her frustration and challenges on the court.
Despite these setbacks, Sabalenka’s determination and resilience began to shine through at the Cincinnati Open. She delivered an impressive performance throughout the tournament, including a significant victory over world number one Iga Swiatek in the semifinals. Sabalenka’s unwavering focus and skill led her to clinch the title without dropping a single set, marking her 15th career title and her sixth at the WTA 1000 level. This victory not only reaffirmed her position among the elite players in women’s tennis but also signaled her return to peak form.
With her Cincinnati triumph, Sabalenka has reestablished herself as a top contender for the upcoming US Open. Her recent success suggests that she has overcome her injury struggles and is once again performing at a high level. Reflecting on her win, Sabalenka expressed her satisfaction with her performance, emphasizing the importance of this victory as she prepares for the next major tournament.
