World number two Sabalenka, a semifinalist at last year’s Wimbledon and the US Open, struggled with her serve, racking up 18 double faults, and making 49 unforced errors in a shock loss at age 21. Australian Open Warm-up event.
Juvan stunned via R3 to beat No. 2 seed Sabalenka 7-6[6] 6-1 #AdelaideTennis https://t.co/9Q9wJXEwJa
— Adelaide International (@adelaidetennis) 1641348445000
Juwan won the tight first set after trailing 2–0 and saved a set point at 6–5 in the tiebreak, winning in an hour and a half before running 3–0 in the second.
“I really enjoyed the first set. I love when matches are tough, when it’s competitive and when it’s really tough,” Juvan said after cementing his place in the quarter-finals.
Roaring into the quarterfinals, Kaja Juvan beat No. 2 seed Sabalenka 7-6(6), 6-1! #AdelaideTennis https://t.co/HVrU9mBNuz
— WTA (@WTA) 1641349175000
“I was a little sorry at some points because I knew she wasn’t doing her best with the serve and we all know how that feels at one point.
“I know she can do it better, but on the other hand, I was just saying to myself, ‘Pay attention. Stay here until the end. This can change at any point.’ I was really trying to stay there till the end and really fight.”
World number one Ash Barty will take on American Coco Gauff on Wednesday while Maria Sakkari of Greece will take on Shelby Rogers in the second round.
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