Chris Evert highlights key win that made Aryna Sabalenka a 'believer' on clay after making French Open semis

Chris Evert believes Aryna Sabalenka’s victory over Iga Swiatek in the Madrid Open final has given her a significant confidence boost after she beat Elina Svitolina to reach the French Open semi-finals. World No. 2 Sabalenka proved too strong for Svitolina as she powered her way to a 6-4 6-4 victory.

Ad Australian Open champion Sabalenka, who faces Karolina Muchova next, leads the WTA Tour for the most wins this year (34) and most titles won (three). Roland-Garros'You don't often see that!' — Djokovic takes second set in style against Khachanov24 MINUTES AGO Among those titles was the Madrid Open, when Sabalenka overcame world No. 1 Swiatek in three sets in the final.

“Aryna is just so powerful; she can hit the ball on a dime, hitting the lines,” said Eurosport expert Evert. “She’s got so much more consistent; her ball retention used to be three or four shots, and now she’s six or seven shots. She sometimes hits a winner before hitting her sixth or seventh shot.

“She’s more patient with herself, moving better, and you can see her improved fitness. She’s getting in and out of the corners, going for winners, which shows that she’s moving better and her fitness is better. “That win over Swiatek in Madrid boosted her confidence, and she is a believer that she can play on clay.