Aryna Sabalenka maybe didn’t have a great run in Toronto last week but insists it is not an issue since she has “a short-term memory” and wants to start from scratch at this week’s WTA 1000 event in Cincinnati.
After a shoulder injury kept her out of play for 40 days, Sabalenka has yet to rediscover her top game as she was upset by Marie Bouzkova in the Washington semifinal before Amanda Anisimova ended her Toronto run in the quarterfinal.
But Sabalenka still has time to improve leading up to the US Open – and after having a first-round bye in Cincinnati – she starts against Elisabetta Cocciaretto on Thursday.
“Every week is a new tournament. It’s good to have a short memory. That helps to keep things moving and working hard and improving. Every loss is extra motivation to work hard and improve things — just to keep going. If you’re fighting every point and giving all you have in practice and matches you’ll have your opportunities. You just have to use them,” Sabalenka said.
Sabalenka hopes this is the year she makes a Cincinnati breakthrough
In the past, Sabalenka had a couple of deep Cincinnati runs and was close to winning it all on multiple occasions. But that still hasn’t happened because the Belarusian somehow just can’t make it past the semifinal stage – the current world No. 3 lost in the last-four stage of the tournament in 2018, 2022 and 2023.
“I’m trying to figure out what I need to do to get to the finals. But I don’t want to focus on that. I want to take things step by step and try to bring my best tennis every time I’m on the court. If I do that, then I will be able to get that semi-final win,” Sabalenka added.
There are question marks in Sabalenka’s current game and form but if she gets past her opening couple of matches and starts gaining momentum, there is no doubt that she will have a shot at the main glory.