Aryna Sabalenka defeated Victoria Mboko at the Indian Wells in California. However, after the hard-fought win, the 27-year-old couldn't help but give a massive nod to Vicky Mboko.

The Belarusian advanced to the semifinal after defeating Mboko 7-6(0), 6-4. And after marking her 3^rd career semifinal in this tournament on March 12, Sabalenka predicted the 19-year-old’s future in the world of tennis.

“Definitely a future star, future Grand Slam champion, that's for sure, no doubt on that,” Sabalenka said about Vicky in the postgame interview.

“It's incredible to see these young girls these days, how brave they are. They go after their shots, they're aggressive, they're fighting,” she added.

Mboko didn't make it easy for the Belarusian. With a tight clutch serving, she kept it toe-to-toe. She saved 7 out of 8 break points while firing 28 winners to 26 unforced errors.

But Sabalenka overcame the challenge, winning the tiebreak 7-0. She saved all five break points she faced, showing a decisive clutch performance under pressure and breaking Mboko at 2-2.

Aryna Sabalenka’s Comments on Her Own Performance

The “goddess” of tiebreaks surpassed Novak Djokovic’s Open-era record by winning 20 consecutive Grand Slam tiebreaks earlier. Now, she has extended that number to 24, with a 95%-win rate this season.

"I feel like the moment (when) I will feel relaxed, I will definitely start losing. So, I felt that's why I have been really successful in those tiebreaks, because I take it really seriously," said Aryna Sabalenka.

"I'm not focusing on the past. I'm just trying to take it once again one point at a time," she added.

And as she has already expressed the wish “to play many more matches in the future” with Mboko.

So do you agree with Sabalenka's prediction? Give us your take in the comments.

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Written by

Deblina Roy

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi