By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday September 30, 2024
Aryna Sabalenka eased past Ashlyn Krueger to set a round of 16 clash with Madison Keys at the China Open.
Photo Source: USTA
Aryna Sabalenka continues to ride the hot hand in China.
The three-time major champion, seeded first in Beijing, stretched her current winning streak to 14 matches with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over American Ashlyn Krueger on Monday afternoon in the Chinese capital.
Sabalenka has not lost since she started her run to the Cincinnati title in August. After that she won her third major – and second of 2024 – at the US Open, defeating Jessica Pegula in the final New York City.
Sabalenka says that it’s easier for her to win with consistency these days, because she doesn’t feel her whole world will come crashing down if she loses a tennis match.
“I improved so many things which give me more confidence that I can win the match no matter what,” she said, after setting a round of 16 clash with Madison Keys in Beijing. “Probably this is what give me that belief and that calmness on court that, okay, no matter what, I'll be able to fight and I'll be able to find my way in this match.
“In the past I had a lot of difficult things to face. After you face certain things, you realize it's just sport. Okay, if you're not going to win this match, what happens? Nobody is going to die. You're not going to die. It's okay. You're going to go to another tournament and you're going to try your best in the next one.”
Osaka and Gauff to Meet Again
Sabalenka will be joined by Naomi Osaka in the round of 16. The four-time major champion took out American Katie Volynets to set a round of 16 battle with Coco Gauff.
Osaka and Gauff have split their four previous meetings, but it is their 2019 encounter in the third round at the US Open that will always have a place in the lore of both players. Osaka defeated then 15-year-old Gauff 6-3, 6-0 on that evening in Arthur Ashe Stadium, and then asked the American to join her on court to be celebrated by the crowd.
Gauff, in tears, wasn’t quite sure what to do, but she later expressed gratitude to Osaka for allowing her to have that moment.
Karolina Muchova also advanced, defeating Jaqueline Cristian 6-1, 6-3, while Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, the No.3 seed fell to Magda Linette, 6-4, 6-0.