Aryna Sabalenka makes one thing clear ahead of Iga Swiatek SF showdown in Cincinnati

Aryna Sabalenka says she expects nothing lower than “a high-intensity” match when she meets Iga Swiatek in the present day and in addition highlights that she completely would not need to suppose that the present floor favoring her a bit extra is a giant benefit. 

After seeing off Elina Svitolina 7-5 6-2 and in addition dismantling No. 10 seed Liudmila Samsonova 6-3 6-2, No. 3 seed Sabalenka is ready to battle in opposition to top-seeded Swiatek for a spot within the Cincinnati last. Whereas this shall be their assembly on the exhausting courts of Cincinnati, there usually are not many secrets and techniques between the 2 since they met 11 instances up to now in varied different tournaments. 

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Going into the match, Swiatek, 23, owns an 8-3 head-to-head in opposition to Sabalenka. Nonetheless, it needs to be famous that 5 of these 11 conferences got here on exhausting and that the 26-year-old Belarusian was in a position to win two of these 5 conferences. 

“It’s all the time high-intensity matches. We had numerous nice battles up to now, and I’m actually trying ahead for an additional nice battle in opposition to her,” Sabalenka mentioned of dealing with Swiatek.

Swiatek’s assertion on taking part in Sabalenka 

Earlier this 12 months, Swiatek edged out Sabalenka in a thriller Madrid last 7-5 4-6 7-6 (7) after saving three championship factors. Then, the Pole additionally beat the Belarusian 6-2 6-3 within the Rome last.

“We’re each, you understand, gamers that type of should be within the semifinals, finals, as a result of we’re working actually exhausting, and I respect Aryna, like, a lot,” Swiatek famous.

Addressing the court docket in Cincinnati, Swiatek described it as “tremendous quick.” And that is one thing that on paper favors Sabalenka. 

“I wouldn’t say that going in opposition to world No. 1, floor can actually aid you to get the win. In fact, perhaps there’s going to be little advantages. However in opposition to a participant like Iga, I really feel like I’ve to deal with myself, on my recreation, not anticipating the floor to type of, like, deliver me some advantages and assist me to win this match,” Sabalenka underlined.

Previously, Sabalenka misplaced three Cincinnati semifinals and there’s no doubt that she shall be decided to as soon as once more fall simply wanting making the ultimate on the event.