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‘TOUGH TO TOPPLE BADOSA
The Straits Times
|June 02, 2024
Sabalenka displays shotmaking variety in win over best friend to progress to last 16
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It was "tough" for Aryna Sabalenka, but the second seed temporarily put her friendship with Spain's Paula Badosa on the back burner to secure a 7-5, 6-1 thirdround victory at the French Open on June 1.
The win kept alive the two-time Australian Open champion's hopes of a maiden Roland Garros title.
Sabalenka, a semi-finalist in Paris in 2023, has made at least the last four at her past six Grand Slams and is expected to be world No. 1 Iga Swiatek's main rival in the Pole's bid for a fourth French Open title.
Cruel as it is, the Belarusian had to first defeat her close pal to get there. She now leads their head-tohead record 5-2.
"It's tough to play your best friend," she said in her on-court interview.
"She's an incredible player, coming back after injury, and I'm pretty sure she's going to be back on top very soon.
This story is from the June 02, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
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