The red clay of Rome’s Foro Italico has long been a stage for epic tennis battles, and Aryna Sabalenka added another chapter to its storied history at the 2025 Italian Open. The world No. 1, a Belarusian dynamo with three Grand Slam titles, faced a formidable challenge in the third round against former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin. In a match that tested her resolve, Sabalenka clawed her way back from a set down to secure a 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory, advancing to the round of 16 and keeping her hopes alive for a maiden Rome title. Her resilience under pressure, coupled with her unrelenting power, turned a tough day at the office into a testament to her championship mettle.
Sabalenka’s 2025 season has been a showcase of dominance, with 33 match wins—the most on the WTA Tour—and titles in Brisbane, Miami, and Madrid. Yet, Kenin, ranked No. 31, posed a unique threat. The American’s flat, aggressive groundstrokes and knack for upsetting top seeds—she stunned Sabalenka here in 2023—made this a dangerous matchup. “She’s a great player, she’s tricky,” Sabalenka said before the match, acknowledging Kenin’s unpredictable brilliance. “Sometimes she goes out and plays incredible tennis. Sometimes it doesn’t work. So you never know what to expect.” From the outset, Kenin brought her A-game, dictating play with pinpoint precision to claim the first set 6-3, leaving Sabalenka scrambling to find answers.
The Foro Italico crowd, buzzing with anticipation, sensed an upset brewing. But Sabalenka, known for her fiery competitiveness, refused to buckle. “I’m super happy with the way I played today,” she said post-match, reflecting on her ability to turn the tide. In the second set, she unleashed her trademark power, hammering forehands that clocked among the fastest in the tournament. Her serve, once a liability, held firm, and she began to exploit Kenin’s second serve, leveling the match at one set apiece. The third set was a war of attrition, with both players trading blistering rallies. Sabalenka’s mental fortitude shone through as she seized a crucial break, closing out the match after nearly two hours of intense battle.
This victory marked Sabalenka’s eighth consecutive win and her fourth time reaching the Rome round of 16, a milestone that underscores her growing comfort on clay. “I have a great chance to take a revenge here in Rome against her,” she had noted, referencing her 2023 loss to Kenin. That defeat, a straight-sets shocker, had stung, but Sabalenka’s evolution since then—honed by coach Anton Dubrov’s emphasis on emotional balance—was evident. Her ability to stay composed, even when trailing, echoed her 2024 US Open triumph, where she overcame similar deficits against Jessica Pegula.
Now, Sabalenka faces Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in the fourth round, a rematch of their thrilling Madrid quarterfinal, which Sabalenka won in two tiebreaks. Kostyuk’s relentless retrieving and crafty play will demand another high-level performance, but Sabalenka relishes the challenge. “It’s going to be a great match, and I’m looking forward,” she said, her enthusiasm infectious. A deep run in Rome could solidify her as the favorite for the French Open, where she reached the semifinals last year without dropping a set.
Off the court, Sabalenka’s Roman sojourn has been a delightful blend of focus and fun. She’s savored the city’s culinary delights, joking about scheduling her match early to enjoy an evening of pasta and pizza. “I want to go to dinner,” she quipped, flashing the charisma that endears her to fans. Her Instagram posts, captioned “Rome, I missed you!!,” capture her joy in the Eternal City, while a lighthearted stopwatch challenge—where she hilariously fumbled the clock—drew cheers from onlookers.
As Sabalenka marches forward, her clash with Kenin serves as a reminder of her growth. Once prone to emotional swings, she’s now a beacon of resilience, channeling adversity into triumph. The Rome faithful, chanting her name, sense a champion in their midst. With the clay season heating up, Sabalenka’s blend of power, poise, and passion makes her a force to be reckoned with, ready to conquer Rome’s red dirt and beyond.
Leave a Reply