Sabalenka Overtakes Zheng, Reaches US Open Semifinals

 

Feisty Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka reached her fourth consecutive US Open semifinal on Tuesday, defeating China’s Zheng Qinwen 6-1, 6-2.

Earlier this year, Sabalenka beat Zheng to claim her second Australian Open title, and employed the same playbook at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where she dominated the seventh seed with her trademark powerful forehand.

After winning the Olympic title, Zheng looked exhausted and deprived of one of the best weapons in her arsenal, as she made only 44% of her first serves.

“She’s such an aggressive player,” Sabalenka said. “She’s playing incredible tennis, and it was very difficult to play against her.”

Sabalenka had an early lead when Zheng lost serve with an unforced backhand error in the second game, and the second seed went up another break when Zheng sent a forehand into the net in the sixth game.

Sabalenka kept the pressure on in the second set, where she committed just six unforced errors, while Zheng lost serve in the first and fifth games after costly backhand errors.

The Belarusian hit a beautiful backhand winner at the net on the penultimate point, and closed the match with an uncatchable serve.

Sabalenka will once again play American Emma Navarro.
She beat 13th seed Navarro in the fourth round at Roland Garros, but lost to her on the hard courts of Indian Wells earlier this year and told fans she expected a tough match.

“She’s a great player,” Sabalenka said. “I’ve seen her matches here. She’s playing incredible tennis and yeah, it’s going to be a great battle and I can’t wait to play her again.” [Reuters]

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