Abu Dhabi was also the third consecutive title for the 22-year-old following up on her season-end triumphs in Ostrava and Linz. Further, her exploits winning her ninth career crown in the UAE capital will assure Sabalenka a career-high ranking of No. 7 when the list is announced on Monday.
“I think I did everything perfectly during the week gone by. I couldn’t have done this better,” Sabalenka told media after her win.
“Today, I was really proud of the fact that I was fighting well, especially on my serve. I was finding my shots and I could do everything that I wanted to do, and this is what I am really proud of,” she added.
Sabalenka went on to swiftly collecting the opening frame without being tested on serve, slamming an overhead winner to consolidate her lead to 5-2 before powering returns at the feet of Kudermetova to break again for the one-set lead. Sabalenka won over three-quarters of her service points in the 26-minute first set.
“I think every final is something special as it is a different competition. For example, in Ostrava the level was much higher and faster, and I really enjoyed that as there were long rallies and a big fight. I am happy with every final and I can’t say that one final was better than the other one. This one was really nice as it was a really fast game and I am happy the way I won here,” the Belarussian offered.
“Actually I am surprised that I could compete at this level and on these conditions here where it was windy and with the sun and the fast courts. I am really surprised I won in the end,” Sabalenka exclaimed.
With Kudermetova featuring in her first-ever WTA level final, it was bound to be a match-up between the experience of the two players. And that ultimately proved to be true as the 23-year-old Russian never showed signs of shrugging off her nerves as Sabalenka swept her off.
“She [Sabalenka] played unbelievable today. She didn’t give me a lot of chances. She went full power and she fought till the end and there was nothing much I could do. And even when I was trying to do something, it was not working,” the Russian rued.
“When I came to the court I tried to enjoy and fight for every point. But today was simply not my day. I was very slow and I couldn’t do what I wanted to do,” she explained.
“When I came here I was not very good with the conditions in Abu Dhabi. But gradually, I eased in and after the second round, I was feeling much better. I am here in the final, but I lost today, and yet I feel positive going to Australia. I have had a good preseason with some hard work on court plus the mental work as well,” Kudermetova added.
“It’s the first week of the season and my first final. I now have the confidence that I have beaten some big players before we all leave for the Australian Open,” she confided.
RESULT
[4] Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) bt Veronika Kudermetova (RUS) 6-2, 6-2
Original news source Credit: gulfnews.com
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