Sabalenka overcomes double-fault scare in first match since AO title

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