'I thought I hit slow balls!' - Aryna Sabalenka credits genes after powerful display sends her to Australian Open final

ByEurosport

Published 26/01/2023 at 15:59 GMT

'Good genetics' helped Aryna Sabalenka power past Magda Linette into her first Grand Slam singles final at the Australian Open, says the fifth seed. Sabalenka hit a string of scorching aces and winners on her way to a straight-sets victory, but believes her calmness was what helped her make it through a major semi-final at the fourth attempt. Sabalenka faces Elena Rybakina in Saturday's final.

Aryna Sabalenka was thankful for ‘good genetics’ after demonstrating blistering power in her Australian Open semi-final win over Magda Linette, and said newfound calmness was key to her reaching a maiden Grand Slam singles final.

The fifth seed produced six aces and 33 winners on her way to a commanding 7-6 (7-1) 6-2 win over Linette.

Sabalenka’s fastest serve was clocked at 187 km/h and she averaged 169 km/h on her first serve, but she wasn’t as impressed as everyone else when asked about her power.

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Sabalenka said: “I thought I hit slow balls today! I’ve got good genetics.”

“It didn’t feel like I hit many strong forehands,” she later added.

“I didn’t try to over hit; I just tried to find my rhythm. I wanted to move better, and then the ball began to fly.”

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Sabalenka is into her first Grand Slam single’s final, but has previously won two majors in doubles – one in Australia in 2021, the other at the US Open in 2019.

She will face Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in Saturday’s showcase match, after the 22nd seed defeated Victoria Azarenka in the other semi-final.

“Being in the final is an amazing experience; the 2021 doubles final was a great experience for me which I hope will help in the final on Saturday,” Sabalenka said.

“Elena is an amazing player, playing good and aggressive tennis. She’s already got Grand Slam final experience, it’s going to be a great battle.”

'I started to trust myself and played great tennis' - Sabalenka on beating Linette

Sabalenka has reached three Grand Slam singles semi-finals before, twice at the US Open and once at Wimbledon, and credited a mentality shift for her ability to go one step further this time.

“I’m calmer on court than last year. I respect myself - I feel that, whatever happens on court, I’m still able to come back and win,” she said.

She added: “[My serve] feels much better. Last year was tough. I’m super happy to have got through it, and now my serve [is better]. Free points make it easier!”

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