‘Short memory’ the key to success for Aryna Sabalenka

CINCINNATI – Aryna Sabalenka detailed her current tennis philosophy on Aug 13, with the three-time Cincinnati Open semi-finalist revealing that she is quick to forget about her losses.

“Every week is a new tournament,” the two-time Australian Open champion said as she prepared for a second-round start after a bye at the Cincinnati Open, the last big test before the Aug 26 start of the US Open.

“It’s good to have a short memory. That helps to keep things moving and working hard and improving.”

The third seed reached the semi-finals at Cincinnati at the previous two editions as well as in 2018.

She is hoping to improve on that record as she comes back from the shoulder injury that forced her to skip Wimbledon.

“Every loss is extra motivation to work hard and improve things – just to keep going,” the Belarusian added.

“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 that her tennis also proves to be a welcome contrast to real life.

The 26-year-old has been through the wringer over the years, losing her father as well as a former boyfriend who died of apparent suicide earlier in 2024.

While Sabalenka eyes a first trip to the Cincinnati final, she is taking things one step at a time.

“I’m trying to figure out what I need to do to get to the final. But I don’t want to focus on that,” she said.

“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.”

Meanwhile, ninth-seeded Daria Kasatkina opened with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova, sending over six aces and breaking four times.

The win came as a relief after the Russian’s opening round losses in Washington and last week in Toronto.

Marta Kostyuk earned a trip to the second round after overcoming Belgian Elise Mertens 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in nearly two-and-a-half hours with a dozen double faults.

“I don’t know how I won today,” the Ukrainian said. “A lot of things did not go my way.”

Karolina Pliskova, the champion in 2016, began her campaign with a 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-3) win over Bulgarian Viktoriya Tomova, while France’s Varvara Gracheva put out Australian Ajla Tomljanovic 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (7-5).

Wimbledon quarter-finalist Lulu Sun, who had to qualify into the field, reached the second round after beating Czech Linda Noskova 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).

In men’s play, 12th seed Ben Shelton won a self-described “bot v bot” battle of serving as he held off the returning Reilly Opelka 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-3).

The towering Opelka, who missed two years with injury and is only now getting back to the tour, hammered down 19 aces in his losing effort against his American compatriot.

Shelton said he trained as best he could for the match by facing big serves from his father Bryan, a former ATP player.

“It’s hard to replicate the angle of Reilly’s serve and how high it bounces,” he said.

“I’ve never seen a ball (from Opelka) come at me like that. Some of the serves he hits defy physics.

“But it’s good to see him coming back, even if he’s not at 100 per cent yet.

“I’m pleased with how I was able to finish.”

Shelton booked the second round on the second of four match points with a leaping return winner.

He ended with 20 winners while his opponent hit 31 in the 97-minute contest.

American Alex Michelsen advanced over Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 6-1, 5-7, 6-2.

China’s Zhang Zhizhen beat Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard of France 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), while Frances Tiafoe earned a home-soil win, beating Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3, 7-6 (8-6). AFP