Aryna Sabalenka, a formidable force in women’s tennis, continued her impressive run at the US Open, dismantling Lucia Bronzetti 6-3, 6-1 to secure her spot in the third round. The Belarusian powerhouse, considered one of the favorites to lift the championship trophy, showcased her trademark powerful serve, delivering five aces with only one double fault and never facing a break point throughout the match.
Sabalenka, seeded second in the tournament, took a few games to find her rhythm against the world number 76, Bronzetti. However, she quickly asserted her dominance, breaking Bronzetti’s serve to take a 4-2 lead in the first set. The Belarusian then broke again to open the second set, ultimately cruising to victory in just over an hour on a sweltering day at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
“I’m happy I was able to manage this win in two sets,” Sabalenka expressed in an on-court interview. After the match, a young girl dressed in a matching fuchsia outfit presented Sabalenka with a stuffed toy tiger, a heartwarming gesture that led to a photo opportunity for the two.
“I love New York. I really love this place,” Sabalenka shared. “It’s really important to bring joy in your life and with my team, we’re able to separate court pressure and expectations… and have this little fun off court.”
Sabalenka, who reached the US Open final last year, arrived at Flushing Meadows riding a wave of momentum after claiming the Cincinnati Open title earlier this month without dropping a set. She has yet to drop a set in her two matches at this year’s US Open, demonstrating her unwavering form.
Despite her current dominance, Sabalenka’s season has not been without its challenges. She faced a setback earlier in the year with a shoulder injury that forced her to miss Wimbledon and the Olympic Games.
Next up for Sabalenka is a third-round clash against either 16-year-old American Iva Jovic or Russian 29th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova. As she continues her quest for the US Open title, Sabalenka’s impressive form and unwavering determination make her a formidable force to be reckoned with.
