Aryna Sabalenka’s rise in professional tennis has been notable, transforming from an inconsistent and unpredictable player to one of the most formidable competitors on the grand stage. In a dominant display on Wednesday in New York, Sabalenka overwhelmed Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen with a decisive 6-1, 6-2 victory, securing her place in the semi-finals of the US Open.
Since the 2022 US Open, Sabalenka has reached the semi-finals or better in seven of her last eight grand slam appearances, with the only exception being a quarter-final finish at the French Open. After finishing as a finalist in New York last year, Sabalenka has now made the semi-finals or better at the US Open for four consecutive years, a feat not seen since Serena Williams achieved the same from 2011 to 2016.
Reflecting on her success in reaching so many semi-finals, Sabalenka acknowledged her past struggles with pressure. “Honestly, before, I didn’t even know how to manage that pressure,” she remarked, explaining that her days off were filled with overthinking. “Nowadays, I’m just trying to take things easier… If it’s meant to be, it’s going to happen,” she added.
This current run is particularly meaningful for Sabalenka, especially considering the challenges she faced this summer, including a quarter-final loss at the French Open due to illness and a withdrawal from Wimbledon due to a shoulder injury. However, she has since regained her form, culminating in her triumph at the Cincinnati Open and now a return to the US Open semi-finals.
Zheng’s performance, however, was disappointing. Despite her strong serve earlier in the tournament, her inability to apply pressure on Sabalenka mirrored their earlier encounter in the Australian Open final. Zheng, who had been playing confidently following her recent success, struggled with her serve, managing only 44% first serves in as she fell quickly behind.
Even the presence of tennis legend Roger Federer, who received a warm welcome from the crowd, did not distract Sabalenka from her game. She commented on the moment, saying she focused on showcasing her skills.
Zheng’s struggles were influenced by her severe fatigue from a late match that ended in the early hours of the morning. She expressed her frustration at how the late finish affected her preparation for the semi-finals, as she was unable to practice the following day due to lack of sleep.
Looking ahead, Sabalenka will face Emma Navarro, the 13th seed, who reached her first grand slam semi-final after defeating Spain’s Paula Badosa 6-2, 7-5. Navarro showcased her resilience, overcoming a 1-5 deficit in the second set to claim victory.
Navarro, the daughter of billionaire businessman Ben Navarro, reflected on her father’s support throughout her journey, attributing her success to his belief in her potential from a young age. She also touched upon her past criticisms of Zheng, expressing feelings of disrespect during their interactions.