It’s not a foregone conclusion that Aryna Sabalenka will end up with the Wimbledon trophy this year, despite looking like the title favourite.
The world No.1 has played some tremendous tennis at this year’s Championships – especially when it’s really mattered and she’s needed to dig deep – and it’s certainly no secret her game is suited to grass courts.
Sabalenka has got a lot of power but the Belarusian, who has never played a Wimbledon final before, looked a bit shaky in the last eight and has also needed to win three tie-breaks to progress this far at the All England Club.
The 27-year-old takes on Amanda Anisimova in the last four today – and should she win – she’ll then face Iga Swiatek or Belinda Bencic in the final.
Here’s what the likes of Anisimova, Swiatek and Bencic can do to defeat the top seed – who some seem to think is invincible in SW19 this year…
What are Sabalenka’s main weaknesses?
Sabalenka is sometimes guilty of having an overreliance on strength – and can struggle against certain opponents with a defensive game style.
Her attacking style is very effective – she’s No.1 in the world for a reason after all – but the way she plays can lead to plenty of unforced errors.
Sabalenka’s second serve is particularly vulnerable and somewhat of a weakness her rivals can exploit, especially for the aggressive returners.
You can’t really give nothing balls to Sabalenka because she can punish her opponents for that. Anyone facing the Belarusian needs to be aggressive – but must pick their moments – and get a little creative.
Sabalenka vs Anisimova head-to-head record
Anisimova has a great record against Sabalenka, with the American leading their head-to-head 5-3 after eight matches on the WTA Tour.
Sabalenka won their most recent clash in the last 16 of the French Open earlier this year – but Anisimova usually gets the better of her.
Sabalenka’s opponents will also need to make changes to their usual game plan if their normal style of play isn’t well suited to facing the title favourite.
Anisimova, who faces Sabalenka today, is a fellow big hitter but had a ‘different game plan’ when she beat the world No.1 in Toronto last year.
‘I went in with a little bit of a different game plan,’ Anisimova said after that specific victory. ‘I was really happy with how I was able to execute that.’
Sabalenka vs Bencic head-to-head record
Sabalenka and Bencic have locked horns three times on the WTA Tour to date, although they’ve not played since the 2023 Australian Open.
Bencic, who will only face the world No.1 in the Wimbledon final if she progresses past Swiatek, produced her only win over Sabalenka in Dubai six years ago.
Slices, drop shots and slow pace of play
Anisimova, Swiatek and Bencic should go back and watch Sabalenka’s quarter-final win over Laura Siegemund for some ideas of how to beat her.
Siegemund’s slices, amazing return shots and slow pace of play caused the top seed plenty of problems before she came from behind to win.
Sabalenka spent almost three hours chasing down drop shots and slices and was getting more and more visibly frustrated during the clash.
Sabalenka vs Swiatek head-to-head record
Sabalenka and Swiatek, considered by many to be the best two players in women’s tennis, could potentially write the 14th chapter of their enthralling rivalry in this year’s Wimbledon final.
Swiatek leads the head-to-head 8-5 but the duo – intriguingly – have never had a showdown on grass to date on the WTA Tour.
Polish star Swiatek normally struggles on grass and is more known for her skills on a clay court but she’s made huge improvements this year.
Sabalenka must be forced into making errors
Swiatek used her impressive footspeed and excellent groundstrokes to force Sabalenka into a number errors during their Italian Open final clash last year, which the Polish star won.
Speaking after that showdown, Sabalenka said: ‘Her movement is incredible. You always know that you have to build the point and you have to finish the point.
‘That’s why sometimes I try to overhit balls, knowing she’s going to get to it… She’s really good in every facet of the game.’
Whatever happens in the women’s singles this year – it’s clear that Sabalenka isn’t the unstoppable force that some seem to think she is – especially with all three of the other players left in the draw having conjured up past wins over her and Swiatek’s improvements on grass.