By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday September 1, 2021
Aryna Sabalenka blew past Tamara Zidansek on Day 3, but her win was not without complication.
Photo Source: USOpen
Aryna Sabalenka is into the third round at the US Open for the first time since her debut in 2018, but the Belarusian will need to recover swiftly from a nasty injury to her right hand in order to put her best foot forward against Danielle Collins in the third round.
Sabalenka took a wicked fall during the fifth game of the opening set her 6-3, 6-1 victory over Slovenia’s Tamara Zidansek on Granstand on Day 3, and talked to reporters afterwards about the severity of the injury.
“I hit it really hard, and I don't know,” she told reporters. “We'll see tomorrow what's going on with my fingers, because right now it's a little bit bigger (smiling). It's the color of my finger is changing. It's getting darker.
Sabalenka was stretched out to her right and her feet slid, then she turned her body to soften the blow but ended up falling on her right forearm and hand. It happened fast – it was almost as if the fall took Sabalenka by surprise.
“I don't know,” she said. “I'm happy that I was able to hold my racquet, and I did everything I could after I fall down. I'm really happy with the win. And, yeah, we'll see tomorrow. I think it's needs to cool down and after one night I can tell what's going on with my fingers.”
Other than the injury it was a commanding victory for Sabalenka. She cracked 24 winners and only put up 10 unforced errors. Sabalenka’s ace count was down from her first match, but she saved both break points she faced an won 23 of 27 first-serve points.
“I was really scared that I broke it, because my feelings was like, it was really painful. I was really scared of my fingers, and I was thinking like this is such a lucky day. I was really worrying about my arm and my hand, and I'm really happy that I could finish this match. I have an extra day to see what's going on, and maybe to do the best recovery I can do.
“We'll see. But I'm really, really hoping that I will be able to play on Friday.”
If she can recover well, she’ll have a great shot at matching her career-best US Open performance when she meets Collins on Friday. Collins defeated Kaja Juvan, also of Slovenia, 6-4, 6-2.
“So she's dangerous player and it's going to be tricky to play against her, especially in the United States when everyone will support her. But I am used to it,” Sabalenka said.