ARYNA SABALENKA Easy for its entry into Rome

The world N.1 Aryna Sabalenka dominated the Russian Anastasia Potapova (34th) 6-2, 6-2 Friday for its entry into the WTA 1000 of Rome.

Sabalenka, beaten in the final last year by Polish Iga Swiatek, completed her first game at Foro Italico in her 3rd match ball in just over an hour of play.

“I am very happy with this match which allowed me to adapt to the playing conditions which are completely different from those of Madrid”said the WTA 1000 winner from Madrid. “It took me a little time to take my bearings, I would say that this match was more a way to adapt to the surface”.

She will be opposed to the 3rd round in the American Sofia Kenin (31st) who beat the Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (52nd) 6-3, 6-0. “Against Sofia, it’s always very disputed matches, I can’t wait to find her”assured the Belarusian which won three of his four confrontations with Kenin.

Sabalenka, 27, has reached the finals of the last four tournaments she has played, with titles in Miami and Madrid, which earned her to be presented as the favorite of the Roman tournament, last important meeting before Roland-Garros (May 25-June 8). “When you are world n.1, you are always a favorite, I know that if I play at my level and I have the right mindset, I can win this tournament, but I don’t think about that, I’m focused only on me”she concluded.

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