Online Reporter
MELBOURNE. — Aryna Sabalenka will look to join a select group of players to win three straight Australian Open titles this month but the big question ahead of the year’s first Grand Slam is can anyone stop the Belarusian from tightening her grip on the women’s game?
The 26-year-old world number one is the red-hot favourite at Melbourne Park, where another victory would give her a fourth major title and widen the gap in the rankings to Poland’s Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff of the United States.
Sabalenka, who started her season by winning an 18th career WTA title in Brisbane on Sunday, has reached at least the semi-finals at nine of her last 12 Grand Slams, a run which included the addition of the U.S. Open crown to her trophy cabinet.
That kind of form has earned comparisons with Serena Williams, who got to the final four at 10 Grand Slams between 2014 and 2017 during a run when the American great won six of her 23 major titles.
“Definitely, I’ve got some confidence at the Grand Slams,” said Sabalenka, who can become the first woman to capture three successive Australian Open titles since Switzerland’s Martina Hingis achieved the feat from 1997-1999.
“I know I’m capable of so many things, that I’m able to hold that beautiful trophy. It’s good to know that. But there’s still (some) way to go. A lot of things have to be done.
“You have to focus on improving yourself every day, do your best, and hope for the best. That’s my mentality going into the Australian Open.”
After being replaced by Sabalenka as world number one at the end of last season, Swiatek has no shortage of motivation heading into the Melbourne Park major.
The Pole held the top spot for 125 weeks during two spells from the 2022 season and while the clay courts of Paris continue to offer her the best chance of adding to her five major titles she is already showing strong form in Australia. — Reuters.
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