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Shelby Rogers claims that she can beat anyone on the court, but playing against top-seeded players week after week is tough owing to the hectic WTA schedule.
An unseeded Rogers won her first-round match against thirteenth-seeded Danielle Collins at the ongoing Charleston Open in three sets 6-7(2), 6-4, 6-1.
In her post-match interview with Tennis Channel, the American spoke about her performance during the match, the hectic WTA schedule and her goal to break into the top 20 of the world rankings this year.
When asked about her performance, the World No. 44 complimented Collins' fierceness during the match and was thankful that she managed to turn her own serve around to ultimately get the win.
"Gosh Danielle came out playing on fire, she was painting all of the lines, I thought I had a break there and she hit like - there was not a mark she had the corner you know she's such an aggressive player, such a fiesty player and I was like just hang in there," Shelby Rogers stated.
"You know I wanted to serve a little bit better as the match went on , it had let me down early but thankfully I was able to turn it around and play a little more aggressive and get ahead of some of the points cause she was just dominating at the beginning," Rogers concluded.
Rogers also discussed a pivotal point in the match where she was able to hold serve, which ended up giving her momentum for the match. The 30-year-old declared that her improved serve was the main takeaway from the match for her.
"Yeah that long hold gave me a lot of momentum I think. Ended with a couple aces there felt a little boost of energy so that's always nice and some though moments like that so to lead and close it out was huge."
"My serve got a little bit better as the match went on and the return too, I couldn't read her serve during the first set, she was on fire so I was happy to start the points a little better as the match went on. I thought I moved really well, defense was great today I snuck out a couple points. You know I probably shouldn't have won but those can kind of make or break the match sometimes," Rogers said.
Shelby Rogers, who is currently ranked No. 44, has reached a career-high ranking of No. 30. When asked what her goal is going forward, Rogers responded that she aims to break into the top 20.
She further claimed that she could beat any player on the court, quickly adding that maintaining a winning streak against great players was the "toughest part." With the WTA schedule being brutal and her colleagues on tour improving every day, Rogers admitted that it was a tough feat that she wanted to accomplish regardless.
"Yeah the goal is Top-20, I mean I've always believed that I can beat anyone on the court, it's just doing it week after week that's the toughest part. Like our schedule is brutal and these girls are so tough. There's just no easy matches. So you know, backing up, win after win and really just believeing in yourself constantly which is tough," Shelby Rogers said.
Shelby Rogers: It's always up and down, I try to take the positive where I go
Shelby Rogers was honest about the struggles of being an active WTA player on the tour. When asked about her 2023 season, Rogers admitted that it was full of ups and downs and that she has been trying to stay positive through it all.
Rogers won her first-round match against fellow American and thirteenth-seeded Danielle Collins at the Charleston Open in three sets. In her last two tournaments, the Miami Open and the Indian Wells Open, Rogers could not cross the second round and fell to second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka in Miami and seventh-seeded Maria Sakkari in Indian Wells.
Her win against Collins was her first win against a seeded player this year. During the interview, the American touched on her 2023 season so far, saying:
"Yeah, it's always up and down, you know? I try to take the positive where I go and I'm just so thankful to be healthy here, last year not so much. So we're already doing better, staying on my feet this year but yeah, healthy, happy and excited to get another chance to play."
Shelby Rogers now faces fellow compatriot Caty McNally in the Round of 32.
