“I was just looking for the chance,” Barbora Krejcikova confident after snapping Aryna Sabalenka’s winning streak

Barbora Krejcikova got a confidence boost after defeating World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in Dubai.


“I was just looking for the chance,” Barbora Krejcikova confident after snapping Aryna Sabalenka’s winning streak

Barbora Krejcikova, Aryna Sabalenka

Barbora Krejcikova broke the unbeaten run of Aryna Sabalenka in the ongoing season. The Czech player defeated the 2023 Australian Open champion in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Tennis Championship handing her the first defeat of the year. World No.2 Sabalenka was on a 13-match winning streak before falling short to Krejcikova in the quarterfinal round.

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Sabalenka was the absolute favorite against the World No. 30 before the match. She started in the same manner as well taking the first set away 6-0. But Krejcikova made a stunning comeback on Thursday evening before winning the match in three sets. 

In the post-match conversation, she explained her mindset going into the game. Krejcikova revealed that she was well-prepared before the match. “Just go for it, just fight, just don’t leave without a fight,” Krejcikova said. “I felt that I’m going to get some chances, that in every single match, you get a chance.” 

“I just felt like just keep going, keep trying to play your game, wait for the chance, then just try to convert it,” Krejcikova continued. “She’s great. I was watching the Australian Open final. She was playing amazing.” 

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Barbora Krejcikova believes she can compete with the best players like Aryna Sabalenka

Barbora Krejcikova

The 2021 French Open champion has had a pretty good show in the last few seasons. In February 2022, she rose to her career-high of 2nd ranking. In the 2023 Australian Open, the 27-year-old has a good run before losing to Jessica Pegula in the fourth round. 

But due to a lack of consistency, she failed to establish herself firmly on the tour. Now the victory over Sabalenka has charged Krejcikova‘s confidence. “I expected it’s going to be really difficult. But then also, on the other hand, I felt like I have a belief that I can play with these girls, with the best ones. I also believe that I can beat them.

“I was looking for the chance,” she continued. After the quarterfinals, Krejcikova will meet Pegula in the semifinals on Friday. There she will look to settle her loss Down Under against the American. 

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