Aryna Sabalenka news: World No 2 surrenders to Kaia Kanepi to crash out of Aus Open

Aryna Sabalenka suffered a shock defeat to Estonian player Kaia Kanepi who will now progress to the quarter finals of the Australian Open.
The Belarussian was supposed to be nipping at the heels of world No 1 Ashleigh Barty and be her biggest threat in the tournament, but that hasn’t happened as she lost her fourth round match 5-7, 6-2, 7-6 (10/7).
It looked like Sabalenka had turned a corner at the start of the match as she won the first set, something she hadn’t done three matches in row, but maybe she should have surrendered the opening set as that seemed to be her winning formula in Melbourne up until now.
The world No 2 was punished for her mistakes by her opponent as Kanepi took advantage of Sabalenka’s back-to-back double faults to take the lead 4-0 before claiming victory in the second set.
Although the Wimbledon semi-finalist didn’t go quietly as she saved four break points to prevent to score going to 5-3, she did have yet more troubles with her service which resulted in her making three double faults in four points.
Did you notice I celebrated to soon? 😜@AustralianOpen #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/uB3f1jt6RK
— Kaia Kanepi (@KanepiKaia) January 24, 2022
Despite her efforts at the death of the game where she saved four match points as the 36-year-old Estonian struggled to end the match after being 40-0 up, Kanepi prevailed and eventually scored her fifth matchpoint.
“It was a really tough match,” Kanepi, former world No 15, revealed.
“Actually I thought I was going to lose after the match points I had on my serve were saved, I don’t know how I won.
“The Australian Open is the only Grand Slam where I hadn’t made the quarter finals and I didn’t believe I could do it at my age.”
Kanepi, who beat three time Grand Slam winner Angelique Kerber in the opening round in Melbourne, has been rewarded for her massive upset with a quarter final tie against former French Open champion Iga Swiatek from Poland who beat Sorana Cirstea in the previous round, with them due to play their quarter final match on Wednesday.
Latest
-
French Open
French Open draw is GOAT fodder for Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic faces a daunting roster of potential French Open opponents but could also strengthen his GOAT claims as a result.
-
French Open
French Open: Naomi Osaka handed tough first round assignment
Naomi Osaka takes on seeded oppostion in the French Open first round.
-
French Open
Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic thrown together in French Open draw
Tournament favourites Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are uncomfortably close in the French Open draw.
-
French Open
Carlos Alcaraz makes 23-year-old top ten player feel old
Carlos Alcaraz makes Casper Ruud feel like time is getting away from him.
-
French Open
Casper Ruud a big fan of Ons Jabeur and Simona Halep
Ons Jabeur claimed the Madrid Open title earlier this month.
-
French Open
Exclusive – Annabel Croft on ‘big match player’ Emma Raducanu’s prospects for this summer
Annabel Croft has backed teenager Raducanu to defy some of her doubters this summer.
-
French Open
French Open: Rafael Nadal slips, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz favourite
Rafael Nadal is still considered a strong contender for the French Open crown.
-
Tennis News
Roger Federer comeback on track as agent reveals Swiss icon is keen to have a crack at Wimbledon 2023
Roger Federer “won’t rush back this time”.
-
French Open
French Open talking points: Ashleigh Barty void, Emma Raducanu’s pain, Hawk-Eye snub
A few talking points ahead of the 2022 French Open.