Aryna Sabalenka extended her remarkable run at the US Open, sealing a place in the last 16 with a 6-2, 7-6(7-2) win over Leylah Fernandez in a late-night clash at Flushing Meadows. The victory kept Sabalenka on course for back-to-back titles in New York, a feat not achieved by a woman since Serena Williams in 2014.
Sabalenka’s passion for clutch moments shone again in the second-set tiebreak, where she improved her streak of consecutive winning tiebreaks to 18. After the match, she explained that the key is trusting her game and staying aggressive when pressure rises. “When I get to the tie-break I know there is no time for doubts and I just have to go for my shots,” she said, emphasizing the importance of sticking to her plan.
The moment on Louis Armstrong Stadium also produced a lighter moment as the crowd roared at a wedding proposal shown on the big screen; Sabalenka laughed off the distraction, noting she would rather stay focused on her game and enjoy the moment with her boyfriend.
Looking ahead, Sabalenka will face Cristina Bucsa, who pulled off a defiant comeback to beat Elise Mertens 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 and reach the fourth round of a major for the first time. Bucsa, 28, has impressed as a Spanish surprise package and will be eager to challenge the top seed.
Other notable results in the wider draw included Jessica Pegula’s straight-sets victory to reach the fourth round, a 6-1, 7-5 win over Victoria Azarenka. Pegula, a 2024 finalist on home soil, demonstrated steadiness and power, and will meet either Ann Li or Priscilla Hon in the next round.
In the day’s other notable matches, Marketa Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion, upset Jasmine Paolini 7-6(7-4) 6-1, knocking out the Italian who had been a finalist at the French Open and Wimbledon last year. Barbora Krejcikova then defeated Emma Navarro 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a tight three-setter.
With Sabalenka’s ongoing form, the possibility of a back-to-back US Open title is becoming a real narrative as the field at Flushing Meadows continues to deliver drama, depth, and momentum for a summer-to-fall run. Sabalenka’s confidence and aggressive game plan suggest she remains the player to beat as the tournament progresses, while Bucsa and Pegula provide fresh avenues for a compelling chase toward the title. If the early rounds are any indication, fans can expect more high-stakes tennis and continued momentum from players looking to peak at the right moment.