'What yips': Aryna Sabalenka mocks herself after horror moment
World No.2 Aryna Sabalenka continued with her horror serving troubles and survived a scare in the third round before advancing to the second week of the Australian Open.
The power-hitting Belarusian hit 24 winners and was too much for Markéta Vondroušová in the third round winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.
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However, from the outset, Sabalenka's serving demons resurfaced as she struggled in the first set with her second serve.
One serve saw her nearly topple over as she struggled for consistency.
However, Sabalenka did improve her serve every set and her groundstrokes were too much for Vondroušová to handle.
Following the match, the World No.2 would have been disheartened with her serving woes that have plagued her since the start of the tournament.
But Sabalenka showcased her usual humour when asked what she thought about the display.
“I’m really happy right now and mostly happy that I made only 10 double faults,” Sabalenka said, which drew an applause and laugh from the crowd.
“She played unbelievable tennis today and I pushed myself really hard. I’ll just keep working on my serve and keep hoping it gets better match-by-match.”
Aryna Sabalenka sets up Kaia Kanepi clash
Fans were left worried for Sabalenka after her serving issues became apparent from the outset.
Sabalenka lost the first set in her opening two matches and once again came from behind to storm home and advance into the next round of the Australian Open.
She finished with 10 double faults, but with a 76 per cent win percentage on her first serve.
Yips? What yips? No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka into the fourth round of the Australian Open, limiting the double faults to 10 with a 4-6,6-3 6-1 victory over a tough out in Vondrousova.
Mental strength from Sabalenka to work her way through her second-serve issues in real time pic.twitter.com/NziwmkCyp9— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) January 22, 2022
Sabalenka missed this serve.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/qPqPocmKY1
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) January 22, 2022
No.115 Kaia Kanepi makes her 1st #AusOpen Round of 16, coming back to defeat Maddison Inglis 26 62 60.
Struggled to find her 1st serve but struck 24 winners in the win.
Faces No.2 Aryna Sabalenka. Kanepi won their only prior meeting last year at the Gippsland Trophy.— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) January 22, 2022
Tennis is such a crazy sport. This time last year Sabalenka was treeing on serve and looking unstoppable. This year she can't find the service box
— Natasha (@Ai_Natasha) January 22, 2022
I have just witnessed the famous Sabalenka serve.... she nearly fell over on that last one 😬
— Jen (@TwoSetsDown) January 22, 2022
Sabalenka's the one who ostensibly can't serve, but you'd never know it comparing her body language to Vondrousova's. A listless DF from the Czech and it's Sabalenka up a double break in the decider. #AusOpen
— David Kane (@DKTNNS) January 22, 2022
Sabalenka plays better in big points and reduces her serve errors to win the 2nd set 6-3. Third set coming up on MCA. #AusOpen
— Lachlan Hall (@lhall98) January 22, 2022
Sabalenka will face 36-year-old Kaia Kanepi who knocked out local wildcard Maddison Inglis 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 to reach the Melbourne Park second week for the first time.
"Another big hitter, it's going to be an interesting match and I'm really looking forward to this one," Sabalenka said.
Former World No.1 and Melbourne Park finalist Simona Halep made light work of Danka Kovinic in her third-round clash at John Cain Arena, thrashing the Montenegrin 6-2, 6-1 to reach the second week for a fifth consecutive year.
Halep will next face Alize Cornet, after the French veteran fought back from a set and 4-1 down against 29th seed Tamara Zidansek to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.
with AAP
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