(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, 2nd in the world, was in steamroller mode to crush 6-4, 6-0 the American (6th), an opponent who had nevertheless 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.
Sabalenka has lost just one of 17 games this season since winning Melbourne, losing just five sets along the way.
“Trust is a word that I don’t really like. I would rather say that I believe in myself more,” she commented hotly.
“I feel like I’m a different player this year,” she said 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 verified the day before, when she had to work differently to dismiss the Czech Barbora Krejcikova (16th) 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, in 1 / 8th 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, let’s go! 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 in the Californian desert for the first time, is obviously aiming better, but she will first have to dismiss the Greek Maria Sakkari (7th), finalist of the event last year, or the Czech Petra Kvitova (15th), opposed at night.
