Aryna Sabalenka immediately stepped on the gas and did not give her opponent many chances starting the Stuttgart Open in the 2021 season, the Belarusian national.
Playing his first match on clay this season, the fifth seed needed only 66 minutes to knock out Chinese national Zhang Shuai with an impressive 6-2, 6-2 result.
In that victory, the world number 7 produced 23 winners, far more than Zhang, who only shot 10 winners.
“I did everything I could in this match. Zhang also tries to fight for every point,” said Sabalenka.
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“The first matches on clay can be difficult at times, so, I’m just trying to stay focused from start to finish and do my best. I feel happy to have this win. I think my serve helped me a lot in this match.”
Champion in Abu Dhabi at the start of the 2021 season, Sabalenka is making her first appearance at the Stuttgart Open and she will face home side Anna Lena Friedsam for a place in the quarter-finals.
World number 40 Lena Friedsam only lost two games when wrecking Norwegian Ulrikke Eikeri in a match between two qualifiers.
“I think I did the doubles a few seasons ago by competing against him, but I’ve never met him in singles,” said Aryna Sabalenka of his second half opponent Lena Friedsam.
“I watched the match a little bit before I went to the training ground. He’s a great player who fights for every point and I’m looking forward to that game.”
Meanwhile, Lena Friedsam’s compatriot Laura Siegemund posted a second round match at the Stuttgart Open against world number 1 Ashleigh Barty.
World number 58 Siegemund must fight extra hard to beat compatriot who is currently in the world number 126, Mona Barthel with 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.
Meanwhile, the fourth seed Elina Svitolina will start the Stuttgart Open by playing in the second round against the home side who has won three Grand Slam titles, Angelique Kerber or lucky loser from Georgia, Ekaterine Gorgodze.
