"It's not often you wake up on a dingy and cold winter's morning mentally rubbing your hands together but, indubitably, this is one such occasion. In our first match, Elina Svitolina is the latest to try and solve the hard-court conundrum of Aryna Sabalenka. The champion here in 2023 and 2024, having also won the last two US Opens, she has so far been the best player in either draw, marching into the last four without losing a set."
"Last year, Sabalenka was beaten in the final by Madison Keys and by destiny, facing an opponent who, after years of losing when it really counted, suddenly decided she could win. But Keys is one of few able to match the world no 1 for clean-hitting power; if Svitolina is to prevail, that will need turning against her though clever use of angles and spins."
Aryna Sabalenka appears dominant, having won this venue in 2023 and 2024 and the last two US Opens, reaching the 2026 Australian Open semifinals without dropping a set. Elina Svitolina must deploy angles and varied spins to counter Sabalenka's clean-hitting power and will need an exceptional performance to advance. Madison Keys overcame years of near-misses to prevail in a previous final, demonstrating a breakthrough under pressure. Jess Pegula compensates for limited raw power with desire, consistency and renewed belief, while Elena Rybakina offers long-levered, uncomplicated power after winning the year-end WTA Finals.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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