Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending US Open champion, advanced to the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Taylor Townsend. The win extends her winning streak in New York to 18 matches, as she has yet to drop a set in this year's tournament.
Sabalenka overcomes early struggles
Despite the routine scoreline, the match was challenging for Sabalenka. She failed to serve out the first set initially, trailed 1-3 in the second set, and dropped serve four times. However, she handled the decisive moments with composure, winning the final five games of the match to seal the victory.
“I love [tough] matches like that, because it was really challenging, and going through tough challenges and overcoming those challenges, it definitely gives you strength and strong belief that you can do it,” Sabalenka said. “So these kind of matches is really like a boost of confidence.”
A difficult period and ranking pressure
The 28-year-old arrived in New York trying to play out of a difficult period. She has not reached a final since winning Indian Wells and Miami back to back in March, and she has struggled to rediscover the confidence she commanded in the first half of the season when she won 26 of her first 27 matches. Her only defeat in that stretch came in the Australian Open final against Elena Rybakina.
Her No 1 ranking is still under threat, with Rybakina, who sits at No 1 in the live rankings, Jessica Pegula, and Coco Gauff all still in the draw. Sabalenka emphasized the importance of focusing only on herself and not allowing her mind to wander to the No 1 scenarios, particularly as the ranking is not actually in her control.
“I completely separate myself from that, because it’s just guessing,” she said. “It’s like if, if, if, if. I feel, for me, I’m just focusing on myself. I’m just trying to bring my best tennis every time I’m competing out there and basically fight for it.”
Next test: Linda Noskova
Four rounds in, Sabalenka’s response to her recent challenges has been compelling. She is yet to drop a set in this tournament, and as the two-time defending champion, she is now on an 18-match winning run in New York. Despite her encouraging performances, it is noteworthy that her first-round opponent, the world No 59 Camila Osorio, has so far been her only opponent ranked inside the top 90.
Although Townsend is an extremely talented player with a tricky, varied lefty game, her lack of belief against a player of Sabalenka’s quality was plainly evident in the decisive moments. A far greater challenge awaits Sabalenka in the quarter-final as she faces Linda Noskova, who beat Marta Kostyuk on Sunday.
Kostyuk has been in the form of her life recently, following her biggest career title at the WTA 1000 tournament in Madrid by reaching consecutive grand slam semi-finals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Noskova, meanwhile, appears to be slowly finding her feet again as she continues to digest her life-changing triumph at Wimbledon. This quarter-final will provide a true reflection of Sabalenka’s level and her readiness to compete for a third consecutive US Open title.
“[It] doesn’t matter who I face, it’s going to be a great battle, great fight, and I’m really excited,” Sabalenka said.
