(Indian Wells) Aryna Sabalenka, on a cloud since her crowning at the Australian Open, made short work of Coco Gauff, to reach the semi-finals in Indian Wells.
Belarus, 2e world, was in steamroller mode to crush 6-4, 6-0 the American (6e), an opponent who had won three of their four previous confrontations.
More aggressive, more powerful, more consistent, she had no trouble getting rid of her 19-year-old opponent in just over an hour, often at fault in the exchanges, a sign of her impotence.
Since his crowning in Melbourne, a great confidence lives Sabalenka, who lost only one game out of 17 disputed this season, giving way only five sets.
“Trust is a word I don’t really like. I would rather say that I believe more in myself, ”she commented hot.
“I feel like I’m a different player this year,” she added at a press conference. I’m calmer on the court, able to control my emotions better, which helps me stay in the game no matter what and fight for every point, not losing my mind or giving easy points to the opponent. »
This placidity which did not necessarily characterize her before this year was confirmed the day before, when she had to do other things to dismiss the Czech Barbora Krejcikova (16e) 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, in 1/8e of final.
Although supporting Gauff, the public gave the 24-year-old Belarusian a standing ovation for her show of force. And the interested party to joke in return: “Oh, come on! I know you would have liked to send me home. But I don’t want to leave, the atmosphere is great here! “.
Sabalenka, who has reached the last four for the first time in the Californian desert, is obviously aiming better, but she will first have to dismiss the Greek Maria Sakkari (7e), finalist in the event last year, or the Czech Petra Kvitova (15e), opposite at night.
