Aryna Sabalenka hits out at Cincinnati organizers over prioritizing Carlos Alcaraz’s matches while she is made to suffer
Sabalenka suffered a semi-final loss against Karolina Muchova at Cincinnati.
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(L) Aryna Sabalenka, (R) Carlos Alcaraz (Image via TennisWorldUSA/ ZUMA Press Wire)
Aryna Sabalenka suffered a disappointing defeat against Karolina Muchova in tonight’s Cincinnati Open semi-final clash, as the Belarusian lost the encounter 6(4)-7(7), 6-3, 6-2. The match realized exactly what the second seed had feared prior to it, i.e., that a lack of time to recover from the quarterfinal match might have cost Sabalenka a win.
Sabalenka completed her revenge on Ons Jabeur for her Wimbledon semi-final defeat by beating her 5-7, 6-3 in straight sets. Their quarter-final match took place in a late slot, and that is exactly what the Belarusian was expecting for her semi-final match as well. Unfortunately, the organizers gave her the 1:30 pm slot the next day for her match against Karolina Muchova, giving her very little time to recover.
“I’m super happy to be in the semi-finals. Super happy to get this win back. The only thing I was worried is the schedule. Everyone was complaining about schedule in Montreal. Just the same thing happen here. I was really disappointed,” said Sabalenka.
She also talked about the fact that she was given an early slot just to give Carlos Alcaraz a suitable slot. “Why they would make this decision– why [Carlos] Alcaraz at 3 pm? I mean, I understand this is Alcaraz, everyone wants to see him play. They put him at 6 pm. I just played the match not before 7 pm. Finish, what, 9 pm? I have to play one again tomorrow. I was thinking at least 3 pm Just the only thing that makes me worried.”
The poor schedule of major events has often been a big issue lately. This time, it was World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka who was handed the short end of the stick.
Karolina Muchova hands Aryna Sabalenka a shocking defeat in Cincinnati Open’s semi-final
Aryna Sabalenka’s second thoughts about the difficult schedule turned out to be right, as she suffered a defeat against World No. 17. Karolina Muchova. The Czech professional tennis player will now face American Coco Gauff in the final of the tournament.
The outcome of this match came as a stunner to many, as Sabalenka was one of the favorites to win this tournament, especially after her quarterfinal victory against Ons Jabeur in Wimbledon 2023 and the defeat of Iga Swiatek in the other semi-final. However, the strict schedule might have taken a toll on her. It will definitely be a topic of discussion in the coming days.
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Rishab Dutta
(794 Articles Published)