‘Emotionally all over the place’ – gritty Sabalenka wins

Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning world no. 1, sprinted past Anastasia Potapova in the fourth round of the Australian Open, declaring she was “emotionally all over the place.”

The Belarusian was cruising at a set and 4-0 up, making herself a major favorite for a title she has already won twice.

The 27-year-old left feeling “disconnected from my body” as Potapova, a 55th-ranked nation, responded with Sabalenka having to fend off four set points before clinching a 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (9-7) victory.

A contemplative Sabalenka later acknowledged that she would have lost earlier in her career.

In the French Open showpiece against Coco Gauff, Sabalenka made 70 unforced errors in the first match of the year, losing to Madison Keys in Melbourne.

She has worked with a psychologist to improve that aspect of her game, and she admits that she can “lose control” of her emotions when the biggest prizes in tennis are in vain.

She has won four majors in the last three years, making herself the dominant player in the women’s game, and has reached at least the semi-finals at 13 of the last 16 Grand Slam competitions she has entered.

According to Sabalenka, “Aryna would have focused too much on how she feels and completely lose these matches.”

“I came to the realization that it really depends on your mentality, your mental strength to be there, your best effort, your poor technique, and your body being completely disconnected.

Sabalenka extended her record-breaking Grand Slam tie-break streak by defeating Austria’s Potapova, who needed two hours and two minutes to win.

Novak Djokovic is the only woman to defeat her in active singles action in 2005-07, and she has won each of her previous 19 tie-breaks at the majors. This is the longest run by a woman in the Open era.

With a fourth-round encounter with Canadian 19-year-old Victoria Mboko, Sabalenka will attempt to win her third title in four years in Melbourne.

“I’m very happy with my mentality today,” I said. According to Sabolenka, “I believe that was the only thing that really helped me win.”

It was one of those times when you had to battle for possession.

“I was everywhere emotionally. I was trying to connect my body to my body.