Tennis Atlantic

Aryna Sabalenka, 2018 Connecticut Open, (Photo: Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)

Super @SabalenkaA Vanquishes Suarez Navarro, is Queen of @ConnecticutOpen With Maiden Tour Title
Steve Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic

Aryna Sabalenka’s amazing summer reached a new pinnacle today as she won her first WTA Tour title at the Connecticut Open, beating Carla Suarez Navarro, 6-1, 6-4. In an hour and thirteen minutes, Sabalenka overwhelmed the Spaniard in the first set and generally cruised to victory.

“This week, a star has been born in New Haven,” said Connecticut Open Tournament Director.

Aryna Sabalenka, 2018 Connecticut Open, (Photo: Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)

That star, who had scored several big wins in the last three weeks, made her run to the title by beating Sam Stosur in straights, following that win up with a tight three setter against Daria Gavrilova, a routine win against Belinda Bencic and the straight set victory over Julia Goerges in the semifinals. She is now 10-2 in her last twelve matches and will officially become a top-20 player on Monday at #20.

Carla Suarez Navarro, 2018 Connecticut Open, (Photo: Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)

In her second tour final, Sabalenka said she “was nervous a little bit, on the second set even more. 40-15 and serving for the match, I was too much nervous. too much things coming in my mind.”

She answered a question from ESPN2 about being a tiger and yet, not being asked about her large tiger tattoo on her left forearm. Sabalenka told The Deuce, “I feel that I am gonna fight no matter what, and this I think is like a tiger, you know?”

Aryna Sabalenka, 2018 Connecticut Open, (Photo: Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)

There’s no time for celebrating: Sabalenka plays American Danielle Collins on Tuesday in a first-round match at the US Open in New York. Talk about cool and calm. Honey Badger don’t care.

“First of all, I have to learn to play two sets if I can,” she said with a smile, “to save my energy, and now I feel pretty fine. I am ready for the US Open. I feel like I have energy for it, my mind is clear. I don’t care, actually. Last time, I was scared, like I had no energy to do what I have to do and this time I feel like I have it and I can do it.”

Special thanks to the Connecticut Open and to Michael Renz on the camera for a great tournament.