Aryna Sabalenka, the world number two, showcased her remarkable form at the China Open, extending her career-best winning streak to 15 matches with a commanding victory over Madison Keys. The three-time Grand Slam champion, who began this streak with a title at Cincinnati in August, continued her momentum with a US Open championship last month and an earlier triumph at the Australian Open. This impressive run surpasses her previous streak of 15 matches achieved across the 2020-21 seasons.
“When you’re able to sacrifice a lot and you’re able to work hard and you’re able to get these wins, that’s the best feeling,” Sabalenka expressed. “You’re just living your best life. You’re excited to play your matches. You’re excited to face whatever fight you going to face.”
Sabalenka’s dominance has been evident in her recent matches, winning 30 out of 31 sets during her current streak. She has displayed exceptional consistency, dropping only one set to Ekaterina Alexandrova in the third round of the US Open. This form was on full display against Keys, as Sabalenka broke the 24th-ranked American in the third game of the first set and maintained her strong serve throughout the match. The Belarusian secured a comfortable 6-4, 6-3 victory in a swift 65 minutes, improving her head-to-head record against Keys to 4-1.
Sabalenka’s performance was highlighted by her exceptional serve, losing only five points on her first serve in the entire match. She also successfully saved both break points she faced despite Keys’ aggressive play, registering 22 winners against 10 unforced errors.
Sabalenka will now face Karolina Muchova in the quarterfinals after the Czech player dominated Cristina Bucsa with a convincing 6-2, 6-0 win. This upcoming match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two in-form players.
