Belarussian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka has performed consistently so far. She started off this year by winning her maiden Grand Slam at the Australian Open but has not been able to replicate her success since. However, she has made deep runs at all the Grand Slams, making it to the semifinals at least.
Sabalenka has struggled in the semifinals in the past, and the US Open was no different. But she staged a remarkable comeback against Madison Keys to book a spot in the finals at the Flushing Meadows.
Sabalenka was on the verge of defeat before she pulled herself up by the bootstraps. From losing the first set 6-0 to Keys, Aryna fought back and won the next two sets comprehensively. Sabalenka was absolutely phenomenal under pressure, finally overcoming the ghosts of the past semifinals.
Aryna Sabalenka d. Madison Keys 0-6, 7-6, 7-6.
An all-time great scoreline and an all-time great mental recovery from Aryna Sabalenka to overcome her semifinal baggage.
Will play for her second grand slam title of the season in Saturday’s #USOpen final. pic.twitter.com/nUiFn3qVSW
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) September 8, 2023
The final against Coco Gauff started well for the Belarussian. She clinched the opening set and looked set to claim the next set as well, but Gauff had other plans. The teen produced a valiant effort to come back from being a set down and went on to win her first major title. Gauff is the first teen to win the US Open since Serena Williams in 1999.
Going into the final, Gauff was the underdog compared to the big-hitting Sabalenka. Coco proved her mettle in front of a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium, even if it did cost Sabalenka. The Belarussian was annoyed with herself for losing the final when it looked like she would win. She took out her frustration on her racket, smashing it on the floor before dumping it in the trash.
Aryna Sabalenka destroys a racket after lost US Open final.
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It was not the first time that Aryna Sabalenka had smashed her racket. The Belarussian did it during the semifinal too, which invited a lot of criticism. This new racket-smashing incident has not gone unnoticed either.
Aryna Sabalenka faces the heat
Fans absolutely ripped into Aryna for her conduct after losing the final to Coco. Most are of the opinion that this behavior is not befitting of the soon-to-be world number one. Here are a few reactions to Sabalenka’s outburst.
The same racquet which brought her to the final, reached S/F of all four slams this, not good conduct.
— parthasarathy selvar (@selvar_shri) September 10, 2023
This is disrespect to the game.
— Deepika Ghadiyaram (@toodeep_4u) September 10, 2023
Maybe try to build some nuance to your game instead?
— Hitz (@BrutusB69347788) September 10, 2023
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Despite the loss to Coco, Aryna Sabalenka will bounce back the way she always does. This is a difficult time for the Belarussian, but it will be a learning curve for her as well.