Aryna Sabalenka seeking revenge at Indian Wells Open

Aryna Sabalenka is out for revenge at the Indian Wells Open this week, with the Belarusian saying she has recovered from her loss in the Australian Open final in January.

The world No.1 fell 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 to Madison Keys as she attempted to win the year’s first major for a third consecutive time.

Since then, Sabalenka has failed to win back-to-back matches, falling early in the WTA 1000 events in Doha and Dubai last month.

Ahead of the Indian Wells Open in California, she admitted the loss in Australia was a bitter pill to swallow.

“I’ve had some tough losses in the past, but this one was hard to accept, to be honest,” she said.

“It took me a week, or even a little more, to stop thinking and move on. 

“I would say that this is a lesson learned and that it is in the past. 

“It’s always — not always actually, but it’s nice to have those tough losses because next time you’ll do a lot better.

“This kind of disappointing loss always motivates me to keep working hard. 

“And yes, it was a tough loss, but I think she’s behind me. 

“Now, I’m ready to take my revenge if I have the opportunity.”

Sabalenka could well face Keys again in the semi-finals at Indian Wells, with the American seeded fifth and in her half of the draw.

However, Keys would likely need to beat third seed Coco Gauff in order to make the final four.

Top tennis betting sites have Gauff at +1000 to win the title, behind only Sabalenka (+333), Iga Swiatek (+400) and Elena Rybakina (+750).

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