Aryna Sabalenka impresses at l’US OpenThe world number 2 was on a nine-game winning streak after her title at Cincinnati and made it ten on Tuesday night to clinch a fourth consecutive semi-final at New York. In front of her, as last year at this location, was Qinwen Zheng. As in‘US Open 2023 but also to theAustralian OpenBelarusian torpedoed Zheng, this time 6-1, 6-2. Imperial, the native of Minsk outclassed the Chinese and did not concede a single break point. She will therefore play her ninth Grand Slam semi-final, against Emma Navarroand will have the advantage of experience.
Video – Aryna Sabalenka is in the semifinals of the US Open 2024
Find the US Open women’s singles draw here
“It was nice to see Roger Federer around”
Sabalenka had the chance to play in front of a certain Roger Federer, present in the stands on Tuesday evening.”I saw him there. I saw him on the big screen and I mean, I’m pretty sure he came to watch Tiafoe and Dimitrov, but still I thought, okay, you know, I have to play my best tennis for him to appreciate it and I have to show my skills, you know, my slice skills, coming to the net and all those things. Yeah, it was a good moment. It was nice to see him around.“
“It’s not about being the favourite, it’s about how hard you’re willing to fight”
The Belarusian has nevertheless qualified her status as favourite, or co-favourite with Iga Swiatek. “If you get to the top five, you know, like everybody’s gonna consider you a favorite anyway. But like I always say, it’s not about being a favorite, it’s about how hard you’re willing to fight for it, you know, and there’s gonna be tough moments in games where you’re not feeling your best and you’re gonna have to go through that. That’s all there is to it. But I’m really happy that they consider me a favorite and I’m gonna do my best to lift that beautiful trophy.”
