DOHA (Qatar): Qatar Total Open defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will be looking forward to defend her crown, but she is aware of the challenge.
The Belarusian will face Spain’s Garbine Muguruza, who won 6-2, 7-6(4) against Russia’s Veronica Kudermetova today.
“I came here for some great matches, for the great fight. Yeah, I’m defending champion but still I feel there is nothing to lose,” said Sabalenka at a virtual press conference.
Excerpts:
Defending champion in Doha. How different is it?
Well, I don’t feel any different. I came here for some great matches, for the great fight. Yeah, I’m defending champion but still I feel there is nothing to lose, and, yeah, I’ll just go for it and do everything I can. So it’s not a big difference compared to last year.
Your doubles ranking is No. 1. Has that changed your approach to your singles game?
Well, of course I’m really happy to be No. 1 in doubles. This is, I would say, something unexpected, and at the same time it’s really amazing and really great to be No. 1. But I still want to put more focus on singles, and that’s why we make a decision with Elise to do not play doubles in the Grand Slams.
Were you pleased with the way you played at the Australian Open?
Well, honestly, I’m not sure that I can say that. But I felt like I missed my opportunity because I feel like if you are coming back from 1-4 and you’re kind of feeling your game and you’re there, you’re fighting, you just have to take this opportunity. I felt like mentally I was a little bit up and she (Serena) was down.
So do you think if you played her again in a Grand Slam you would have a different approach?
Yeah. I can guarantee that my mindset will be different going on the court.
