Sabalenka loses in Adelaide opener

Belarus’ world number 2 Aryna Sabalenka lost to Slovenia’s world number 100 Kaja Juvan, 6-7 (6-8), 1-6, in her Adelaide International 1 opening match, BelTA has learned.

The Belarusian racked up 18 double faults, while her opponent made none. The match lasted for one hour and 31 minutes.

Earlier, former world number one Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, currently ranked 27, defeated Spain’s world number 8 Paula Badosa, 6-3, 6-2, in the round of Last 32. Victoria Azarenka will face Australia’s world number 263 Priscilla Hon for a spot in the quarterfinal.

At the women’s tournament in Melbourne Belarus’ world number 107 Aliaksandra Sasnovich will face China’s world number 101 Wang Xinyu in the round of Last 32. The Belarusian made it into the main draw after solving Australia’s world number 522 Olivia Tjandramulia, 6-2, 6-3 and Ukraine’s world number 118 Lesia Tsurenko, 7-5, 6-1.