Arianne Hartono was eliminated on Thursday in the second round of the Libéma Open in Rosmalen. The 26-year-old Dutchman lost in two sets (6-2 and 6-3) against Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus.
Due to the elimination of Hartono, there are no longer any Dutch women active in the Brabant grass tournament. Debutante Suzan Lamens lost in the first round earlier this week and Robin Haase, Botic van de Zandschulp and Jesper de Jong were ready after a match. Tallon groenpoor and Tim van Rijthoven continued and are still fighting for a place in the quarterfinals.
The second-round match between Hartono (WTA-172) and second-seeded Sabalenka (WTA-6) started on Wednesday, but was stopped after a set due to rain. Hartono was initially able to keep up with the Belarusian world top player in that set, but after 2-2 Sabalenka took distance (6-2).
Also on Thursday, Hartono could offer little resistance to 24-year-old Sabalenka, who reached the semifinals at both Wimbledon and the US Open last year. She quickly trailed 3-0 and couldn’t get over that tap.
Hartono will play in the Wimbledon qualifiers later this month. The native Groningen hopes to qualify for the main tournament in London for the first time, after she made her Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open in early 2022.
Aryna Sabalenka.
Aryna Sabalenka. Photo: AP