Belarussian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka survived one of the biggest scares of her career at the US Open. Sabalenka was up against Madison Keys for a spot in the final, when she got bageled by Keys in the opening set. Aryna struggled throughout but managed to make a remarkable turnaround to win the match.
It was a difficult encounter, as Sabalenka could not find her rhythm at all in the first set. Her serves were abysmal, and Madison exploited it fully to her advantage. Keys broke Sabalenka’s serve thrice to win the opening set 6-0.
Sabalenka was visibly frustrated with herself when Madison broke her again in the second set. The pressures of the semifinal got to her and she smashed her racket on the towel box in anger. Her team threw her a different racket from the box, as Sabalenka vocalized her frustrations at them. She then tried to throw her racket at them, but Aryna’s aim was off in her anger.
Aryna Sabalenka is not happy at all after getting broken in the 2nd set.
Her coach gave her a new racquet and she tried to throw her other racquet back up to him 😂 pic.twitter.com/jZKieaCwPP
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 8, 2023
The umpire slapped her with a code violation for her unsportsmanlike behavior. However, the outburst helped as Sabalenka quickly leveled the scores at 2-2, before she fell behind Keys again.
However, Sabalenka’s outburst did not go unnoticed by fans on social media. Users wondered if she was feeling the pressure of becoming the new world number one. “The pressure of becoming #1 in the world playing on her?” commented a fan.
Interesting. She entered the semi finals to have a meltdown. The pressure of becoming #1 in the world playing on her?
— T-Keys2022 (@ASKomolafe) September 8, 2023
When the scores were at 5-3 in the second set, Madison was serving for the match. But Sabalenka peaked at the right time and won the next couple of points to force a tiebreaker. The third set was also closely contested but Aryna Sabalenka eventually won the match 0-6, 7-6(1), 7-6(10).
Sabalenka held her nerve under pressure. She kept a level head when she was trailing behind and finally reaped the rewards of her efforts. One of the favorites to win the title, Aryna will lock horns with Coco Gauff next.
Aryna Sabalenka now matches Serena Williams’ record
The Belarussian has been phenomenal so far. She started off the year with her maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. Aryna has since carried her good form with her to every Grand Slam and can now boast of matching with tennis legend Serena Williams.
Sabalenka defeated Qinwen Zheng in straight sets to march into the semifinals of the US Open for the third consecutive year. With the win, Aryna has made it to the semifinals of every Grand Slam this year.
Aryna Sabalenka is the only active woman to reach the semifinals at all four majors in one year 👏
The last to achieve this feat was Serena Williams in 2016. pic.twitter.com/y30L7aOlCw
— ESPN (@espn) September 6, 2023
Aryna can now boast of being the only active WTA player to achieve this feat since Serena Williams in 2016. Even former world world number one Iga Swiatek has not been able to achieve this.
Aryna Sabalenka will hope to double her Grand Slam title count on Saturday when she takes on Coco. The anticipation around their summit clash is already sky-high.
