Victoria Azarenka’s 17th attempt at claiming the US Open title came to an abrupt end on Friday as unseeded Chinese player Wang Yafan delivered a stunning upset. Wang, ranked 80th in the world, defeated the veteran 20th seed 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, marking her deepest ever run at a Grand Slam tournament.
Azarenka, a three-time US Open runner-up, struggled to contain her unforced errors, committing a total of 32 throughout the two-hour 22-minute match. She also faced difficulties on serve, dropping it six times. The Belarusian former world No. 1 had started strong, taking a 3-1 lead in the first set, but Wang fought back, ultimately claiming the opener with a powerful cross-court forehand that Azarenka was unable to handle.
Azarenka, who had previously defeated Wang at the Washington Open a month prior, rallied in the second set, winning four straight games to force a decisive final frame. However, a jubilant crowd filled with Chinese supporters, still riding the high of Zheng Qinwen’s victory in the previous match, cheered on Wang as she surged to a commanding 4-0 lead in the third set. Wang eventually closed out the match with a convincing performance, showcasing a level of play that allowed her to dominate the final set and secure the monumental victory.
This unexpected result marks a significant milestone for Wang, who has now reached the Round of 16 at the US Open for the first time in her career. Azarenka, meanwhile, will look to regroup and focus on future tournaments as her quest for a US Open title continues.
