REPORT: Aryna Sabalenka critiques Emma Raducanu’s playing with uncompromising honesty and excellence.

After their encounter at Indian Wells, Emma Raducanu’s world no. 2 Aryna Sabalenka showered the 21-year-old with accolades, referring to her as “an incredible player” and emphasizing her undeniable ability to play some incredible tennis.

In order to go to the Indian Wells round of 16, two-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka defeated Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, 6-3 7-5 on Monday.

Considering that Raducanu and Sabalenka are two of the most well-liked players in the game, there was a lot of excitement and curiosity around the match before it started. Even though Sabalenka prevailed in two sets, there was still some excellent tennis played throughout the match, and it did not let off.

A reporter posed an intriguing question to Sabalenka after she had secured the victory: Does she consider Raducanu’s status as a Grand Slam champion at the crucial moments?

To be honest, I wasn’t giving that much thought. During these trying times, I’m glad that I can concentrate on myself,” Sabalenka stated at her press conference.

“Despite not playing many matches in the last few months, she is a fantastic player, and she demonstrated that today.

“Nevertheless, I’m confident that she can play some excellent tennis and that her level is there. However, I was concentrating on myself and the tasks I needed to complete on the court in order to be in this match during those crucial times, and I believe it worked well.”

Raducanu made Sabalenka work very hard.
In the sixth game, Sabalenka earned the first break point and the first break of the match, giving her a 4-2 lead after five somewhat uneventful games. Raducanu served to stay in the opening set with Sabalenka leading 5-2, but the Belarusian missed two straight break opportunities.

Raducanu had a fantastic opportunity to tie the first set after saving two set chances, but she failed to convert any of her four break points in the ninth game, and the match ended when Sabalenka realized she had won her third set point.
The Briton managed to regain the break in the next game, thus Sabalenka’s lead was short-lived. Sabalenka broke Raducanu midway through the second set to lead 3-2. The No. 2 seed gave herself an opportunity to serve out the match after breaking the Briton in the 11th game, having saved a break point in the eighth game.

Raducanu, with her back to the wall, fought valiantly in the 12th game, saving three match chances until Sabalenka converted her fourth match point to hold off the 21-year-old. In the twelfth game, the Belarusian also faced three break points before ending the match.

What was Sabalenka’s opinion on Raducanu’s tenacity and drive?
Following the match, Sabalenka said that Raducanu had not made things easy for her, but she also commended the former world No. 10 for her competitiveness and fighting spirit.

Indeed, she persisted to the very end. In the final game, she persisted. Regarding Raducanu, Sabalenka remarked, “She was giving it her all and fighting for it throughout the match.”
“I won this match in two sets, which of course made me very thrilled, and the final game was close. I thought that the previous game was kind of a turning point. She would feel a lot more faith and confidence if I lost that game, and you never know when you might end yourself in a tiebreak. It’s about 50/50. That’s not what I wanted to happen.

“That’s why I felt a little bit of relief after I closed this match in two sets.”

Sabalenka, 25, first met Raducanu and is now scheduled to meet Emma Navarro, a rising star in the United States, for the first time.

Navarro, who is having a breakout season, defeated former world No. 3 Elina Svitolina 6-1 4-6 6-3 on Monday to maintain her impressive 2024 form. Navarro is currently ranked No. 23 in the world, which is a career-high. Earlier this year, she made it to the Auckland semifinals and won her maiden title in Hobert.

In early 2024, Navarro may be having the time of her life on the tennis court, but Sabalenka is sure to start as the favorite. The two-time Grand Slam champion will, however, undoubtedly take the 22-year-old very seriously given that the American has demonstrated this year that she is unquestionably capable of playing at a top level of tennis.

Raducanu, who won a main draw wildcard for Miami next week, shifts her attention to the tournament, while Sabalenka is focused on winning the Indian Wells title.