India, July 9 -- With a giggle, Aryna Sabalenka said, "there is going to be less slices from (Amanda Anisimova)."

The question in the post-match press conference was about the prospect of playing the hard-hitting baseliner in the Wimbledon semi-final. It was one of the few inquiries that did not touch upon the struggle the top seed faced when she beat unfancied world No.104 Laura Siegemund a few hours earlier.

But in mentioning the "slices", Sabalenka alluded to a fact she had not tried to hide. That she had been pushed to the brink by the 37-year-old German.

The match-up on Tuesday was between two players with vastly contrasting styles. Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, is one of the biggest hitters in the game. Her mantra ...