World No. 6 Aryna Sabalenka admitted Shelby Rogers was a difficult opponent to handle but she was glad that she was able to overcome the American and reach the Libema Open final.
In ‘s-Hertogenbosch, first-seeded Sabalenka saw off Rogers 7-6 (6) 6-0 to reach the Libema Open final.
Sabalenka claimed the first break of the match in the sixth game but her lead was short-lived as Rogers broke back in the seventh game.
In the 11th game, Rogers broke Sabalenka for a 6-5 lead but failed to serve out for the first set in the following game as Sabalenka managed break back and force a tie-break.
After failing to serve out for the first set in the 12th game, Rogers had a set point at 6-5 in the tie-break.
Sabalenka responded by winning the next three points and stealing the first set from Rogers.
Rogers never recovered from missing out on her first set chances as Sabalenka claimed three breaks in the second set to complete a straight-set win.
Sabalenka: Rogers played well
“Was a great match out there, she pushed me a lot and she played so well in the first set especially,” Sabalenka said, per the WTA website.
In the Libema Open final, Sabalenka will be taking on Ekaterina Alexandrova, who defeated Veronika Kudermetova 6-3 6-1.
What was expected to be a tight battle between two Russian players, turned out to be a one-sided battle as Alexandrova absolutely crushed Kudermetova..
“It always feels great to be in a final, especially here in the first tournament on grass,” said Alexandrova. “I didn’t expect to be in the final in the first few matches for sure, because I couldn’t feel the surface and everything was flying so far away from the court, but I’m glad I could find my game here.”
Sabalenka and Alexandrova will be going head-to-head for the fifth time when they meet in the Libema Open final.
The head-to-head record between the two stands at 2-2.
It remains to be seen if Sabalenka can finally win her first title of the season.