Aryna Sabalenka Progresses at Australian Open After Surviving Scare During Second Set
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Two-time defending Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka won in straight sets for the second match in a row, but young Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro can be proud of her performance.
Sabalenka comfortably defeated the 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens in the opening round. The WTA world No. 1 was at her blistering best but did not need to be against an opponent who has not won a match since July at Wimbledon.
Although some, such as tournament director Craig Tiley, have tipped Coco Gauff to win the women's singles at this year's Australian Open, Sabalenka is the deserved bookies' favorite after winning the tournament in 2023 and 2024.
The 26-year-old might be desperate to rack up Grand Slam titles as quickly as possible after she caused a shock with her comments about retiring from tennis. Having kids was part of the three-time major champion's thinking.
Although Bouzas Maneiro's achievements are not close to Sabaenka's, she has made substantial improvements in the last 12 months, reaching the third round at last year's Wimbledon and the US Opens.
Bouzas Maneiro's run at Wimbledon included an opening-round triumph against the defending champion Marketa Vondrousova on Centre Court. That demonstrates she is not intimidated by facing top players on the most significant stages.
However, beating Sabalenka at the Australian Open and Iga Swiatek at the French Open are probably the toughest tasks in women's tennis. Bouzas Maneiro undoubtedly knew she needed to produce something special to win.
There were ominous signs when Sabalenka swiftly won the opening two games, but the Spaniard regained her composure to win a long game on the defending champion's serve to get on the scoreboard.
Three more breaks of serve followed to leave the score at 4-2 in favor of Sabalenka. To the undoubted surprise of many, Bouzas Maneiro was holding her own in the rallies. Not hitting her spots on serve and allowing Sabalenka to attack it was the main reason for her being behind.
Both women began to serve better in the final few games of the first set. Sabalenka won the two games she needed to take it 6-3. Despite the Belarusian being one set away from victory, Bouzas Maneiro showed how dangerous she is.
The underdog's level rose even further in the second set. She consistently hit her spots on serve and ripped several forehand winners by effectively using the pace from Sabalenka's flat and powerful groundstrokes.
Bouzas Maneiro was rewarded for her high level by breaking in the fourth game of the set. Sabalenka saved three break points from 0-40 but went on to be broken anyway after her opponent kept the pressure on.
The 22-year-old was in a great position to take the match to a deciding set at 5-2 up. Unfortunately for her, Sabalenka's level improved, and she could not serve it out at 5-3. Another hold from the world No. 1 leveled the set at 5-5.
Two double faults from Bouzas Maneiro in the next game cost her dearly. Sabalenka then served out a 6-3, 7-5 victory after a competitive and entertaining match.
