Hot shots: Sabalenka, Wang Xinyu switch from power to finesse
Aryna Sabalenka View Profile and Wang Xinyu are both known for their breathtaking power, and brute force was on full display in both players' first-round matches at the Australian Open.
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But their best rallies saw Sabalenka and Wang foil opponents with brilliant switch-ups to showcase their finesse as well. For Sabalenka, pummeling the ball from side to side had failed to get it past Sloane Stephens -- so, with a delicate flick of the wrist, she ended the point with a drop shot out of nowhere instead.
Meanwhile, Wang was going toe-to-toe with No.11 seed Paula Badosa View Profile , eventually falling 6-3, 7-6(5). The 2023 Roland Garros doubles champion showed her ability to change up the flow of baseline aggression with a canny move forwards, followed by a subtle drop-volley finish.
