Aryna Sabalenka has been having the best outing at the US Open. Sabalenka lost her first of the event against Madison Keys in the semifinals. It was her toughest match in the event, and it did affect her mental state during the match. Sabalenka was only three points away from defeat in the second set. Her comeback was unbelievable to the crowd and even to her.
Sabalenka got carried away in the third set during the tiebreak as she thought the match was over. She celebrated when leading 7-3 by dropping the racquet. Her team reminded her that it was not over yet. She immediately picked up her racquet. “Reminds us of Danielle Collins,” commented a fan as Danielle Collins had the same confusion in her second-round match at the Australian Open this year.
Reminds us of Danielle Collins 🤣
— Omamuzo (@MamZees) September 8, 2023
A fan could realize the amount of pressure Sabalenka was going through and said, “Under high pressure, I can’t blame her.” The ten-point tiebreaker in the deciding set was a rule that was enforced last year in the four majors.
Under high pressure, I can’t blame her. 😅
— gwongfit (@gwongfit) September 8, 2023
She wasn’t alone thinking she won the match tho. 🤦🏾♂️ Many in the crowd cheered. 🤣
— Lil Boog (@Mt_Vernon_T) September 8, 2023
It was the first time that Sabalenka was playing a match that crossed the two-hour mark in the event. Keys aimed to reach the final for the second time at the event, as she was the runner-up in 2017.
Sabalenka fought bravely and avoided an all-American final in the grand slams for the first time since the 2017 US Open. The Belarusian player will face another American in the final, as Coco Gauff will be ready for the assignment.
Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff ready for first-ever clash
The final stage is ready for the US Open. Aryna Sabalenka will face Coco Gauff for the first time on tour. The second seed has an advantage over Gauff regarding time spent on the court. Sabalenka has only spent eight and a half hours on the court, while Gauff has spent 11 hours on the court. The sixth seed has also spent six more hours playing doubles and mixed doubles matches on the court.
In terms of losing the sets, Sabalenka has only lost one so far. She got bageled in the match against Collins, while Gauff has lost three sets so far. The teenager will be a bit tired compared to Sabalenka, but so far has played with full energy in all the matches. Gauff is the first American teen since Serena Williams in 2001 to reach the final of the US Open. Sabalenka is in her second major after winning in Australia this year.
SATURDAY IS SET. pic.twitter.com/I2cZBvJ1Ma
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 8, 2023
Sabalenka has reached the finals for the first time in the US Open, just like Gauff. The 25-year-old reached the semifinals in the past three editions, and Gauff reached the quarterfinals in the last season.
Both are power-hitters on the court, as Sabalenka has hit 160 winners so far while Gauff has 150 winners. Will you be hoping for a first-time major winner or a second title for a soon-to-be world No.1?