From the red clay of Madrid to the historic courts of Rome, Aryna Sabalenka is making her presence felt on the European clay-court swing. The Belarusian star, fresh off a strong performance in Spain, carried her momentum into the Italian capital with a commanding victory in her opening match at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. Facing off against Russia’s Anastasia Potapova, Sabalenka needed just over an hour to deliver a clinical 6-2, 6-2 win, booking her place in the third round with authority.
Ranked No. 2 in the world, Sabalenka entered Rome with confidence and clarity. Her aggressive baseline game and unwavering intensity have made her a force to be reckoned with on any surface, but particularly on clay, where her heavy groundstrokes and improved movement have become serious weapons. In her match against Potapova, Sabalenka wasted no time asserting her dominance. She broke early in both sets, dictated the tempo, and never allowed her opponent to settle into a rhythm.
The scoreline tells the story of a match where Sabalenka was in complete control. Her serve, a consistent strength, was firing on all cylinders, and she backed it up with fearless hitting from both wings. Potapova, though a capable and rising player herself, struggled to find answers against the relentless pressure Sabalenka applied from the very first game.
This emphatic win comes at a crucial time for Sabalenka, who is aiming to fine-tune her game ahead of Roland Garros. Clay has traditionally been a challenging surface for many power players, but Sabalenka has shown considerable growth over the past few seasons. Her semifinal appearance in Madrid and now a strong start in Rome suggest that she is primed for a deep run in Paris.
Speaking after the match, Sabalenka expressed satisfaction with her performance, particularly the way she managed the pace and stayed mentally locked in. “I’m happy with the way I played today,” she said. “It’s always tricky in the first match, especially in a new tournament after traveling. But I felt good on court, and I’m enjoying my time in Rome.”
Rome holds special significance in the tennis calendar—not just as a key stop before the French Open, but also as one of the sport’s most iconic venues. The atmosphere at the Foro Italico is electric, and the slow clay conditions provide a unique challenge that rewards patience, variety, and tactical intelligence—all qualities Sabalenka has worked hard to cultivate.
With this win, Sabalenka moves into the third round, where the competition will only intensify. However, judging by her current form and focus, she seems more than ready to handle what’s next. Her journey from Madrid to Rome has so far been seamless, and if she continues to play at this level, she could very well be lifting a trophy before heading to Paris.
For now, Aryna Sabalenka’s message is loud and clear: she’s here to conquer the clay, and Rome was just the beginning.
Can she keep the momentum going all the way to Roland Garros?