Sabalenka wins second 2020 title in an all-Belarusian Ostrava final

• Ostrava Open, final

• SABALENKA (4) d. AZARENKA (3) 6-2, 6-2

• Key info: Victoria Azarenka clearly struggled medically as she fell in Ostrava final.
• You will also learn: Aryna Sabalenka avenged her US Open loss earlier in the season against Azarenka.
• Why read the story: Azarenka has been in top form since Cincinnati, but hasn’t been able to convert it to another title.

In a match overshadowed by physical troubles on Victoria Azarenka‘s end, her fellow countrywoman Aryna Sabalenka was able to strike clinically for a straight-set 6-2, 6-2 victory. This is the pair’s first meeting outside of the US Open, where they split 1-1 with a Vika win in 2020 and Sabalenka victory in 2019.

The first set spelled signs of a struggle physically for Azarenka, as after she went up 2-1 and holding serve to start, she let up five straight games against Sabalenka to fall 6-2. Despite Vika serving 72 percent of her first serves in, it was her compatriot winning 16 out of 19 first serve points to lead the way.

The second set saw more prominent troubles for the veteran Azarenka. She was clearly bothered physically and had to take a lengthy medical timeout after she was broken in the third game. Azarenka was provided a tablet from the doctor, while also received treatment to her neck and she struggled to regain composure and looked dispirited upon returning to the court. Her movement was also affected as a result and the third seed broke again to go up 4-1.

Vika did show some signs of recovery, as she broke Sabalenka back to close down as break with her opponent having a lapse in focus. However, she was swiftly broke back before Sabalenka seized her third match point to finish out the match in straight sets.

Sabalenka will look to go for the Ostrava double later in the day, as the Belarusian and Elise Mertens–who are the top seeds in the tournament–take on Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani in the doubles final.

• Also read: I’m playing every shot like it’s my last – Azarenka races through to Ostrava final
• Also read: Azarenka dismantles Mertens again; Sabalenka in amazing comeback
• Also read: Iga Swiatek and team in quarantine after Polish President tests positive for coronavirus