Aryna Sabalenka got the revenge she craved on Friday by defeating Leylah Fernandez 6-3, 7-6(2) to reach the U.S. Open fourth round.
The victory erased painful memories of her 2021 semi-final loss to Fernandez, who stunned her en route to the final in their only previous meeting.
“I really wanted this revenge,” Sabalenka said after the match. “I’m very happy with the win.”
The match began with Fernandez threatening early, earning multiple break points in the opening game. Sabalenka held firm, saving them all to hold serve.
That resistance appeared to steady Sabalenka, who then broke Fernandez in the fourth game when the Canadian double-faulted on break point.
The Belarusian never looked back, conceding just one more break point, which she saved with a clinical service winner.
The second set was tighter, with both players holding serve until the tiebreak, where Sabalenka surged to a 6-1 lead.
She sealed victory with a forehand winner, extending her season tiebreak record to 20 wins and one loss.
“In tiebreaks, there’s no time for doubts. I just go for my shots,” Sabalenka said.
“I remind myself to trust my game, stay aggressive, and keep pressure on my opponent.”
The win keeps Sabalenka’s perfect third-round record at the U.S. Open intact at 6-0.
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She is now four victories away from matching Serena Williams’ back-to-back U.S. Open titles achieved over a decade ago.
Sabalenka praised Fernandez after the match, acknowledging her opponent’s performance made the contest far from easy.
“She’s a tough opponent. She’s improving. She played incredible tennis today,” Sabalenka said.
“I think just a few points in each set made the difference.”
Reflecting on the 2021 loss, Sabalenka said she learned from that defeat and used it as motivation.
“It was a tough lesson. I wanted to prove I’d developed as a player and could get this win,” she said.
There was a lighter moment during the match when a fan proposed marriage in the stands.
“I think it’s the first time someone proposed during my match,” Sabalenka said, smiling.
“It was sweet. I tried not to smile too much and focus on my game. A great moment.”
Asked about her own relationship, Sabalenka laughed and said: “I don’t want this kind of proposal.”
She added, “But I looked at my boyfriend… Yeah. No pressure.”
(NAN)
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