Aryna Sabalenka, the second seed, stormed into her second consecutive US Open final on Thursday, overcoming a late-match challenge from American Emma Navarro. Sabalenka emerged victorious in a tense encounter, winning 6-3, 7-6(2) at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The Belarusian powerhouse, who finished runner-up in 2023, relied on her superior power to subdue the 13th-seeded Navarro. Sabalenka unleashed a barrage of winners, totaling 34 for the match, and sealed the victory with a decisive overhead smash on match point.
Navarro, who had stunned defending champion Coco Gauff in the fourth round, faced a formidable opponent in the experienced Sabalenka. Despite the fervent support of the home crowd, Navarro struggled to match Sabalenka’s relentless attack.
Sabalenka, who had jokingly offered the crowd free drinks if they supported her instead of Navarro, couldn’t resist teasing the fans after her win, “Now you’re cheering for me – wow – it’s a bit late.” She also praised Navarro’s tenacity, “Even though you guys were supporting her, I had the goosebumps. She’s such a great player, really tough opponents.”
Sabalenka will now face the winner of the match between Jessica Pegula and Karolina Muchova in the championship match.
The two players had previously clashed on the hard court in Indian Wells earlier this year, where Navarro triumphed in three sets. This US Open encounter promised another thrilling battle, as both players exchanged breaks early in the first set. However, Sabalenka steadied her nerves and gained the upper hand in the sixth game, securing a crucial break with a forehand winner. She then thwarted Navarro’s break point opportunity in the seventh game with an unreturnable serve.
Midway through the second set, Navarro sustained a bloodied knee while chasing a shot. Sabalenka appeared poised to cruise to victory after Navarro committed a backhand error in the fifth game, gifting Sabalenka a break. But Navarro refused to concede defeat, applying relentless pressure from the baseline to break back in the tenth game.
Sabalenka, having allowed Navarro to gain a 2-0 lead in the tiebreak with a double fault, gave a sarcastic thumbs-up to her coaching box. However, she quickly shifted gears, winning an 18-shot rally at the net and ultimately securing the win.
With this victory, Sabalenka remains on course to potentially claim her first US Open title and cement her status as one of the world’s most formidable tennis players.
