Aryna Sabalenka burst out of the blocks in her first match since winning the Australian Open, with the second seed crushing Lauren Davis 6-0, 6-1 on Tuesday in Dubai.
The 59-minute rout at the Aviation Club sent the newest Grand Slam champion into the third round against Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion.
Sabalenka, whose serving was a disaster during much of last season, continued successful corrective measures, sending down six aces with only two double-faults.
But both came in the final game as she served for the win.
“Oh, my God, I was thinking, ‘C’mon, girl, just finish this match without double-faults.’
“How can you play really great, serving really well, then in the last game you serve two double-faults.
“I was a little bit pissed with that, but then I remind myself how many double-faults I used to make during the matches. Then I was like, ‘Okay, it’s not that bad.'”
Sabalenka broke five times and saved the only break point she faced – in the final game – with an untouchable serve.
Sabalenka improved to a flawless 12-0 on the season as she plays here for the sixth time.
“I’m just happy to keep things going,” the winner said. “I hope I can keep this up, sometimes I still cannot believe that I won a Grand Slam.
“I spent some time on the beach,” the MIami-based player said. “Then it was back to work.
“I needed these few days off. I worked hard. I worked a lot. With the rest of the players in tournaments, I had to be really ready for the first match. I think we did well with my team.”
Main photo:- The newest Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka winning Australian Open Singles Final by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
