Sabalenka on Facing Fernandez: I Love Rematches

Losing to Leylah Fernandez in the 2021 US Open semifinals was a heartbreaking affair for Aryna Sabalenka. She had been looking at a clear path to what could have been her first major title, and was the heavy favorite out of the four semifinalists, but Fernandez played out of her skin and notched a 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-4 win.

“If you’re not using your opportunities, someone else will use it. This is what happened today,” Sabalenka said at the time. “I will try to improve it. I will keep working and fighting, and I believe that one day it will come.”

After defeating Polina Kudermetova 7-6(4), 6-2 in Arthur Ashe Stadium, Sabalenka will finally get her rematch with the Canadian.

The World No. 1 is a completely different player these days. She’s added three major titles to her résumé and has reached at least the quarterfinals in each of her last 11 Grand Slam appearances.

On Friday in New York, she said she is looking forward to the challenge.

“I don’t remember anything from that match, because I think I changed a lot,” she said. “I had really tough challenges after that, and I went through. I found myself. I became a better player and a person.

“So I think it’s going to be a completely different match. Of course, I do remember a couple of things, and I love rematches. So I’m actually super excited facing her here again.”

Sabalenka has now won 17 consecutive tiebreaks after nudging past Kudermetova in the first-set breaker — 19 of her last 20 overall.