Aryna Sabalenka, the fiery Belarusian tennis sensation, made her highly anticipated comeback in Washington on Wednesday, much to the delight of her fans. After a 40-day hiatus from the court, Sabalenka was eager to test her shoulder, which had sidelined her from Wimbledon. The 23-year-old acknowledged the challenges of returning to competition after such a lengthy break but was relieved that her shoulder held up well during her match.
In a dramatic showdown against qualifier Kamilla Rakhimova, ranked world No. 105, Sabalenka displayed flashes of brilliance mixed with some rustiness. Despite facing a stiff challenge from her opponent, the two-time Grand Slam champion managed to secure a hard-fought 7-5 4-6 6-4 victory, much to her satisfaction. Reflecting on her comeback performance, Sabalenka expressed her happiness at overcoming the tough test posed by Rakhimova.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m super happy to be back on court. I didn’t play for months, it feels like. It’s been more than that. Happy to get through this tough match. She played incredible tennis. I’m just super happy to get this win,” Sabalenka revealed, highlighting the significance of her return to competitive action.
During her first match, Sabalenka showcased her formidable serve by firing 13 aces, a testament to her power and precision on the court. However, she also faced 12 break points, of which she successfully saved nine, demonstrating her resilience under pressure. Despite the intense battle, the Belarusian star found solace in the fact that she experienced no pain or discomfort while serving, a positive sign for her recovery.
“I mean, I really hope it’s okay. At least I was able to serve without pain. It’s not going to be easy to come back after injury, especially the one I had. I feel okay and we’ll see how I feel tomorrow. But I really, really hope I’m going to be all right for the next match,” Sabalenka shared, expressing cautious optimism about her physical condition moving forward.
With her victory over Rakhimova, Sabalenka set up an exciting clash against her compatriot Victoria Azarenka in the next round. Azarenka, who defeated Wang Yafan in her match, will provide another stern test for Sabalenka as she continues her journey back to the top of the tennis world. The Belarusian showdown promises to be a thrilling encounter between two fierce competitors from the same country, each hungry for success on the court. Tennis fans eagerly await the outcome of this exciting matchup between two talented players vying for supremacy in Washington.
