Porsche Tennis Grand Prix: Aryna Sabalenka sprinkles champion Ash Barty roses
Ash Barty won her third title of the season at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart. Her final opponent Aryna Sabalenka only had praise for the world number one after her defeat.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Apr 26, 2021, 08:34 am
It seemed to have been a kind of wake-up call for Ash Barty when Aryna Sabalenka won round one 6-3 in the final of the WTA 500 event in Stuttgart on Sunday afternoon. Then the reigning number one in the women's tennis world turned it up, gave the Belarusian the maximum penalty in set two with 6: 0 and finally made her third title of the season perfect with a 6: 3 in the third round.
A show of force that Sabalenka had to admit after her defeat in the final: "Barty plays very well, even on clay. It is very difficult to play against her, she is number one and she is a great player," said Sabalenka who had brought the "best clay court match of her career" onto the pitch on Saturday when she took Simona Halep out of the tournament too clearly.
Barty also got double titles
For Barty, on the other hand, there was another title win on Sunday evening: The Australian also remained unbeaten in the double competition of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix and was able to stretch the trophy up to the sky alongside Jennifer Brady. A temporary high point in the tennis year 2021 for the world number one, who has already celebrated WTA titles in Miami and Melbourne this calendar year.
#VIDEO#
Aryna Sabalenka will now focus on recovery, as the 22-year-old struggled with physical problems as the game progressed: "I had to call the physio in the second set. But I'm glad I got through the match anyway. Now I'll try to relax. It's good to be able to play in Madrid. I'll try to do my best to play there. "
parena