Aryna Sabalenka shared insights into her tennis philosophy, emphasizing her ability to quickly move past losses. The two-time Australian Open champion, who has reached the Cincinnati Masters semifinals three times, believes that having a short memory is crucial for continual improvement and maintaining motivation. As she prepares for her second-round match at the WTA and ATP Cincinnati Open, Sabalenka is focused on refining her game and overcoming the shoulder injury that caused her to miss Wimbledon.
Sabalenka's recent experiences have included personal challenges, including the loss of her father and the tragic death of a former boyfriend. Despite these hardships, she remains dedicated to enhancing her performance at Cincinnati, where she aims to improve her past semifinal appearances. She stresses the importance of focusing on each match and practicing diligently to seize opportunities when they arise.
In Tuesday's matchups, the tournament saw a mix of performances from notable players. Ninth-seeded Daria Kastkina triumphed over Ekaterina Alexandrova with a 6-4, 6-2 win, while number 15 Marta Kostyuk edged out Elise Mertens in a hard-fought three-set match. Karolina Pliskova, the 2016 champion, secured a win over Viktorija Tomova, and Varvara Gracheva defeated Ajla Tomljanovic. Wimbledon quarterfinalist Lulu Sun advanced to the second round by overcoming Linda Noskova.
In the men's draw, 12th seed Ben Shelton defeated Reilly Opelka in a serving duel, showcasing his skills against the towering American. Shelton, who faced Opelka's powerful serves in practice sessions with his father, expressed satisfaction with his performance. The second-round victories also included Alex Michelsen over Tallon Griekspoor, Zhang Zhizhen against Giovanni Mpetishi Perricard, and Frances Tiafoe's win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
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