Seeded no. 4 Aryna Sabalenka took on Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova at the final of the WTA Abu Dhabi Open 2021. Prior to this match, the two met played each other once, at Antalya in 2015. The Belarusian, Aryna Sabalenka won their only encounter back then. Aryna Sabalenka won the title, beating Veronika Kudermetova in straight sets, 6-2 6-2.
This was her 3rd title at the venue and clearly one of her successful events. She now achieves a career-best ranking of being the new World No. 7.
Set-1: Aryna Sabalenka Seals the Opening Set With Ease
The match began with both players holding their service games comfortably. In the 6th game of the opening set, the Belarusian got the first break of the set, making it 4-2 on serve.
In the following game, Aryna held her serve with ease, edging closer to take the first set at 5-2. As Veronika Kudermetova began serving to stay in the set, Sabalenka lifted her tempo to register the second break of the set and eventually sealing it 6-2 in 25 minutes.
Although the Russian served better, she failed to win a majority of those points, which proved costly, and handed the set to her opponent.
Set-2: Aryna Sabalenka Dismantles Veronika Kudermetova to Clinch Set
As the second set commenced, Sabalenka earned the early break, taking control of the set at 2-0. However, Kudermetova struck back immediately in the very next game, making it 1-2, back on her serve.
Not long before it looked as if the Russian was clawing back herself into the set, the Belarusian broke right back. She went on to hold her serve, the next game and was inching closer at 4-1.
With the momentum on the Belarusian’s side, she broke yet again to serve for the match at 5-1. The set ended with the Aryna Sabalenka winning the set 6-2. The Russian’s serve let her down the entire match, which proved costly.
