Aryna Sabalenka ‘super happy’ as she snaps losing streak to win opening match Charleston

Aryna Sabalenka tasted victory on the WTA Tour for the first time since February as she defeated Alison Riske in the second round of the Charleston Open.

Coming into the match on the back of three consecutive defeats, including early exits from the Indian Wells Open and Miami Open, the world No 5 was made to work for her 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 victory in one hour and 49 minutes.

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Opening match done and dusted

No.1 seed @SabalenkaA locks in a tight win over Riske at the @CharlestonOpen! pic.twitter.com/cbSoHqRH42

— wta (@WTA) April 6, 2022

The opening set was a tightly contested affair, but Sabalenka served for the set after breaking to love in game eight. Riske, though, saved four set points only to lose the tie-breaker.

The top seed then claimed back-to-back breaks in games five and seven of the second set to come out to serve for the match, but Riske claimed one break back before Sabalenka eventually go the job done.

Up next is Anisimova for a place in the quarter-final.

“I felt I’m super happy that I was able to go through that match,” she said. “Alison is a really tough opponent – it’s never easy to play her. I’m proud that, no matter what, I stayed focused from the beginning until the end. That’s why I was able to win this one.”

Second seed Paula Badosa had an easier day at the office as the Spaniard defeated Anna Bondar from Hungary 6-1, 6-4 to set up a clash against Claire Liu from the United States.

Tenth seed Belinda Bencic held off teenage wildcard Linda