Aryna Sabalenka eliminated Jessica Bouzas Maneiro with the score of 6-3, 7-5, qualifying for the 3rd round of the Australian Open 2025.
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At least in the 2nd set, the performance of the Belarusian was rather questionable, but it should be emphasized that in the important moments she showed a formidable mental solidity, a symptom of her new status as ruler of women's tennis.
The WTA No.1, after beating Bouzas Maneiro, said in the on-court interview how she considered herself a good person, mocking her team:
"I want people to know that I'm not that crazy off the court. It's just Aryna on the court. I have to say that I'm a good person off the court. I don't know if my team will agree. But I'm a good person, I promise!
16 consecutive wins: what's special about this place? Definitely the people. I have to say today you guys were a little more rooting for her. But it's okay, I forgive you!"
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In the other matches, Coco Gauff beat Jodie Burrage 6-3, 7-5, while there was a total domination by Paula Badosa, who left only one game to wild card Talia Gibson.
In the men's singles, everything was easy for Alexander Zverev: the German tennis player dominated the match against Pedro Martinez, showing a great attitude throughout the match, winning 6-1, 6-4, 6-1. Now he faces the challenge with Jacob Fearnley.
Today too, Novak Djokovic struggled more than expected, this time against Jaime Faria. The Serbian champion had a difficult moment in the final part of the second set, which he then lost in the tie-break. Things then changed again, because the Serbian champion managed to raise the level and put distance between himself and his opponent.
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His path to the Australian Open will become extremely treacherous starting from the third round: on the other side of the net he will find Tomas Machac.
