Aryna Sabalenka, 25, drops hilarious comment after beating ‘legend’ Vera Zvonareva
Aryna Sabalenka joked she will probably one day be in Vera Zvonareva’s position after beating the former world No 2 in Berlin. Sabalenka, 25, defeated 38-year-old Zvonareva 6-3 6-2 in the Berlin first round. Sabalenka is currently ranked at No 2 in the world, while Zvonareva reached her career-high ranking of No 2 in 2010 – when she was Sabalenka’s current age.
During her on-court interview, Sabalenka was told that she was five years old when Zvonareva clinched her first top-5 win in Berlin. “I totally agree with you and that’s crazy. Probably one day I’ll also be a legend, losing to someone here and you’ll remind me that I won my first match here when the girl was five years old,” Sabalenka said.
Sabalenka routinely handled Zvonareva
The first break points of the match were seen in the fourth game, when Sabalenka had three consecutive break points on Zvonareva’s serve. A bit surprisingly, Sabalenka failed to convert any of her three consecutive break points as Zvonareva managed to win the game and tie the first set to two games apiece.
However, blowing three early break points didn’t impact Sabalenka, who clinched another break point in the sixth game. In the sixth game, Sabalenka realized her fourth break point to open a 4-2 lead. Sabalenka then routinely held on to her serve for the remainder of the first set to clinch the opener.
After winning the first set, Sabalenka realized her fourth break point of the first game to also start the second set with an early break. In the seventh game, Sabalenka broke Zvonareva again to go up by a double break and open a 5-2 lead.
Up by a set and a double break, Sabalenka served out for the match in the eighth game to complete a straight-set win over Zvonareva. It was the third meeting between Sabalenka and Zvonareva. Previously, Sabalenka defeated Zvonareva at the 2018 US Open and 2021 Madrid Open, respectively.
