Aryna Sabalenka Defeats Sawangkaew in Beijing for 13th Straight Win

In the second round of the China Open on Saturday, No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka defeated Thai qualifier Mananchaya Sawangkaew 6-4, 6-1, after facing a fierce challenge from the qualifier.

For most of the match, reigning US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka was up against up-and-coming 22-year-old Sawangkaew, but after 76 minutes of play, the World No. 2 came victorious and recorded her 13th consecutive victory on the Hologic WTA Tour.

“I was having some trouble with the rhythm in the first set,” Sabalenka admitted later. “It feels like things got a lot better in the second set. That, in my opinion, is why it was easier and of higher quality.”

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Seeking success in Beijing

Aryna Sabalenka has won four of her sixteen career WTA singles titles in China, where she has performed many of her best performances.

With an 85.7 per cent success record in WTA 1000 events since the tier’s launch in 2009, Sabalenka leads all players in winning percentages in Chinese competitions.

13th consecutive win ✅@SabalenkaA with victory in her first match back after back-to-back titles in Cincinnati and the US Open.#ChinaOpen pic.twitter.com/ezJ7ILzTgU

— wta (@WTA) September 28, 2024

“There are so many wonderful memories from the past,” Sabalenka remarked. “I have no idea how many competitions I won in China. Returning and taking in the ambiance and energy is always wonderful, mainly since I’ve formed a fan club here.

It motivates me to play my best tennis and stay until the end of the tournament to fully enjoy the conditions.

Despite her national accomplishments, Aryna Sabalenka has yet to win the prize in Beijing. Her finest performances in the Chinese city have come from two quarterfinal runs in 2018 and last year.

Moments of the Match

On Saturday, Sabalenka came closer to winning her first Beijing Open title, but only after Sawangkaew tested the three-time Grand Slam champion with incredible speed, unwavering defense, and cunning victories.

World No. 187 After making her tour debut in Hua Hin last week, Sawangkaew defeated Zarina Diyas in this week’s first round to secure her maiden tour victory. With a soaring form, the Thai entered her first encounter with a player ranked in the Top 80, much less the World No. 2.

In the first set, Sawangkaew fought wildly to overcome a 4-3 break deficit by finding the lines. The top seed and the qualifier battled through the first set before Sabalenka ended it with a flawless return victory on her second set point.

In a second set closer than the final score, Sabalenka’s huge serves and forehands kept her ahead with a 4-1 hold. Sawangkaew had two break points to return to service at 3-2. Aryna Sabalenka prevented one final breakpoint in the decisive game before sealing the victory.

In the latter portions of the second set, Sabalenka’s power plays paid off, as she concluded the match with 35 wins to Sawangkaew’s 14. Sawangkaew converted one of her four break points, while Sabalenka went 4-for-7.

“When you see the opponent putting so many tricky balls back, you have to come up with something else,” Aryna Sabalenka stated. It’s not always easy. I would say that I genuinely enjoyed myself during those highlights.”