SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER!
 
 
Facebook Social Button Twitter Social Button Follow Us on InstagramYouTube Social Button
NewsScoresRankingsLucky Letcord PodcastShopPro GearPickleballGear Sale


By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday September 7, 2021

 
Sabalenka

Aryna Sabalenka has now reached back-to-back semifinals after failing to reach the quarterfinals in her first 14 Grand Slam main draws.

Photo Source: Getty

Aryna Sabalenka has taken her sweet time to become a ringer on the Grand Slam stage. In her first fourteen major singles appearance the talented Belarusian had failed to reach beyond the round of 16, and it was something that gnawed at the psyche of the powerful, light-hearted star in the making.

Tennis Express

But gradually she came to grips with the pressure and expectations, and learned to face her fears of failure.

On Tuesday in Arthur Ashe Stadium she continued to overcome those challenges, notching a 6-1, 6-4 victory over 2021 Roland Garros champion Barbora Krejcikova to reach her second consecutive semifinal at the majors, and her first at the US Open.

Sabalenka, who improved to 43-14 on the season, will next face 19-year-old Leylah Fernandez, the Canadian who has won over the heart of the New York fans with three consecutive upsets over Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber and Elina Svitolina.

“She’s playing well, she’s moving well and the crowd is cheering for her,” Sabalenka said. “I would say she has nothing to lose, it’s going to be an interesting match and I’m really looking forward to this one.”


Sabalenka and Fernandez have yet to meet.

Surely the Belarusian will look to impose her breathtaking baseline game on the Canadian. On Tuesday against Krejcikova she smacked 22 winners against 23 unforced errors. Through five rounds she has struck 145 winners and held serve in 44 of 49 of her service games.

Fernandez has found ways to win in each of her last three matches, which have all gone three sets, but she has been broken 13 times through five matches.

The 23-year-old No.2 seed was quick to hit the practice courts after her one hour and 26-minute victory.


More to follow…

 

Latest News