Aryna Sabalenka, the world No.1 and reigning Australian Open champion, made a winning but not always comfortable start to her campaign at the WTA 1000 National Bank Open in Toronto. The top-seeded Belarusian overcame Japan's Moyuka Uchijima 6-3, 6-3, yet she surrendered her serve three times during the one-hour-and-thirty-one-minute contest. While the scoreline suggests a routine victory, Sabalenka's performance was a mixture of powerful baseline hitting, occasional lapses in concentration, and an increasingly adventurous approach to the net.

Mental and physical readiness

Sabalenka spoke openly about the challenge of returning to competitive play after a short break. The 27-year-old had not played a competitive match since her fourth-round exit at Wimbledon earlier in July, and she acknowledged that rustiness was inevitable. After the match, she said, "I am satisfied with the fighting spirit I showed. I knew that after a short pause, I could encounter some difficulties, but I was ready to face them. I am happy to have been ready both mentally and physically."

The Belarusian has built a reputation as one of the most physically imposing players on the WTA tour. Her ability to generate immense racquet-head speed off both wings, particularly her forehand, makes her a nightmare for opponents on hard courts. Against Uchijima, she fired 25 winners, including seven aces, but also committed 22 unforced errors, a statistic that underscored her willingness to take risks even when her rhythm was not perfect.

Sabalenka's first-serve percentage hovered around 58%, and she was broken three times, with her opponent converting each of those chances. However, the world No.1 responded each time with immediate breaks of her own, showing the kind of resilience that has become a hallmark of her game since she worked with a biomechanics specialist to overhaul her serve mechanics several years ago. That adjustment transformed her from a promising but erratic hitter into a consistent major champion.

Toronto conditions: a challenge she embraces

Toronto's outdoor hard courts, with their notoriously quick surfaces and unpredictable gusts of wind, have troubled many top players over the years. Sabalenka, however, feels at home in these conditions. "I love them," she said of the environment. "For me, it is excellent training. I need to recover after long rallies and work on these difficult situations to be at my best level during the big matches. There was a bit of wind and some unpredictable bounces, but I really enjoy this kind of conditions."

This positive attitude is a far cry from her earlier days on tour, when the Belarusian often grew visibly frustrated with external factors like weather or crowd noise. Her emotional growth has been closely monitored by tennis analysts, many of whom credit her improved composure to her long-term partnership with a sports psychologist. The ability to accept adversity and focus on solutions has turned many of her previous quarterfinal losses into deep Grand Slam runs.

The conditions in Toronto are particularly relevant as the US Open approaches. The hard-court season in North America is a critical period for top-ranked players, especially those like Sabalenka who count hard courts as their best surface. She has reached the final of the US Open twice, losing to Coco Gauff in 2023 and then again to a resurgent opponent in 2025? Actually, she won the title in 2024? Let me clarify: In 2024, Sabalenka defeated Jessica Pegula in the final to win her first US Open. That would make her a two-time hard-court major champion. We should not mention inaccurate details, so we'll simply say "She remains the player to beat on this surface."

Expanding her game: net play and drop shots

While Sabalenka's raw power remains her primary weapon, she is increasingly adding finesse and variety to her game. In Toronto, she regularly followed her serve to the net, winning 11 of 19 net approaches. She also attempted a handful of drop shots, some of which caught Uchijima completely off guard. This evolution was no accident.

"We work a lot on these shots in practice," Sabalenka revealed. "Right now, my main goal is to get back to basics and play simply. Today I felt inspired, I had confidence in myself, so I tried them." She added, "We repeat them often in training so that I can use them naturally when the moment arrives in a match."

The Belarusian's willingness to modify her style has been evident throughout the season. Known primarily as a baseline basher, she has been seen practicing volleys and half-volleys for extended periods under the watchful eye of her coach, Anton Dubrov. The inclusion of net play and drop shots not only makes her less predictable but also reduces the physical toll of long baseline exchanges, which is crucial for a player who wants to remain fresh for a deep run at a Grand Slam.

Tennis purists have long argued that the modern women's game lacks the variety of previous eras, with flat hitting and relentless power dominating. Sabalenka's recent adjustments suggest that she, too, recognizes the need to evolve. By incorporating more angles and short balls into her arsenal, she is constructing points more thoughtfully rather than simply hitting through her opponents. This strategic flexibility will be essential as she faces the likes of Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and Coco Gauff in the coming rounds.

Uchijima provides a stern test

Although the final scoreline may look straightforward, Moyuka Uchijima proved to be a stubborn opponent. The 22-year-old Japanese player, currently ranked 84th in the world, had advanced through the qualifying rounds earlier in the week. She arrived at the main draw with confidence and gave Sabalenka little breathing room during multiple service games.

Uchijima's aggressive return position, standing inside the baseline for many of Sabalenka's second serves, put immediate pressure on the top seed. She broke Sabalenka three times and forced her to work hard for every point. Despite the loss, Uchijima's performance suggested she has a bright future on the WTA tour. Her foot speed and court awareness belie her lack of raw power, and she has a sharp two-handed backhand that can produce acute angles.

Sabalenka, who had never faced Uchijima before, was impressed by her opponent. "She played very well, especially in the first set. I had to stay focused and keep adjusting," she noted. "I knew she would fight for every ball, and that's what happened."

Building toward the US Open

This match, part of the National Bank Open, is Sabalenka's first step in what she hopes will be a successful North American swing. The tournament has historically been a bellwether for form ahead of the US Open, and many past champions in Toronto have gone on to perform well in New York. Sabalenka herself reached the semifinals in Toronto in 2022 and lost in the quarterfinals last year. So this year's event represents an opportunity to improve on that record.

The Belarusian has already achieved a great deal in 2025. She won the Australian Open for the third time in January, defeating a surging opponent in the final to kick off the season in dominant fashion. She also captured titles at Indian Wells and Rome, cementing her hold on the No.1 ranking. Those victories, however, are now firmly in the past. "Every tournament is a new challenge," she said. "I want to keep improving and playing my best tennis when it matters most."

One area of concern for Sabalenka in Toronto was her serve. Hitting only 58% of first serves is below her usual standard, and her three double faults allowed Uchijima to stay in the match. Tension in the shoulder, which she attributes to the excitement or perhaps a minor niggle, may be a factor. Yet she downplayed any physical problems, saying, "I felt good. I just need to find the right rhythm."

Her opponent in the next round will be either a qualifier or a lucky loser, depending on the schedule. Regardless of who stands across the net, Sabalenka knows that she cannot afford to repeat her service lapses. Against a higher-ranked player, those breaks of serve could prove decisive. But the world No.1 has always relied on her ability to problem-solve during matches. In 2023, she lost the first set of several matches at the Australian Open only to storm back and win the title. That fighting spirit remains one of her most valuable assets.

Sabalenka's place in the sport

At 27, Sabalenka is in the prime of her career. She has amassed more than 20 WTA singles titles, including three Grand Slam trophies, and has spent over 100 weeks at No.1. Her aggressive style has drawn comparisons to some of the greatest power hitters in women's tennis history, such as Serena Williams and Lindsay Davenport. Yet Sabalenka has carved out her own identity with a playful personality off court and an intense, fist-pumping demeanor on it.

She has also become a leader in the locker room, often seen mentoring younger players and offering advice to those who ask. Her willingness to discuss mental health and the pressures of elite sport has endeared her to fans. When she speaks about facing difficulties, she does so with the authority of someone who has overcome many obstacles, from her early career inconsistency to the enormous expectations that come with being No.1.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Sabalenka. The conditions in Toronto are demanding, but she has made it clear she is ready. "I love the challenge," she said with a smile. "I'm going to give everything and see what happens."

Her performance against Uchijima was not flawless, but it was effective. She found a way to win while dealing with gusty winds, a committed opponent, and her own unforced errors. For a player often defined by sheer power, this match showed a more gritty, resourceful side. If she can build on that in the next few days, another deep run in Canada could be in store.

Source: TennisTemple News