Aryna Sabalenka Reaches Semis As Roger Federer Watches On

Aryna Sabalenka continued her hunt for a primary title in New York as she reached her fourth consecutive U.S. Open semi-final on Tuesday after beating Zheng Qinwen 6-1, 6-2.

Watched on by 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer from the Arthur Ashe Stadium stands, Sabalenka knocked out the Olympic gold medalist from the 2024 Paris Video games in simply an hour and 13 minutes.

The quarter-final was a rematch of this yr’s Australian Open closing, the place Sabalenka received her second Grand Slam title on the laborious courts of Melbourne.

The world no. 2, runner-up to Coco Gauff on the U.S. Open final yr, now has an unbelievable 9-1 file in Grand Slam quarter-finals.

With the legendary Federer in attendance, the hard-hitting Belarusian stated she strived to play her greatest tennis towards her Chinese language opponent.

“I noticed him there, noticed him on the large display screen,” Sabalenka stated about Federer, who received 5 of his 20 main titles on the U.S. Open consecutively between 2004 and 2008.

“I used to be like, OK, I’ve to play my greatest tennis so he enjoys it.

“I’ve to indicate my expertise, , slice expertise, come to the online and all that stuff,” Sabalenka added with fun.

‘Drinks On Me’

Within the semi-final on Thursday, Sabalenka will face American and first-time main semifinalist Emma Navarro.

Requested in an on-court interview how she may sway the house followers to cheer for her towards native favourite Navarro, Sabalenka jokingly stated: “Drinks on me tonight?

“Drink on me and please give me some assist within the subsequent match,” she added, as hundreds of spectators clapped and applauded the second seed.

Final yr, Sabalenka referred to as out the Flushing Meadows crowd for a scarcity of assist through the closing towards residence favourite Gauff.

Title Favourite

In line with the WTA, Sabalenka is the primary girl to achieve 4 straight U.S. Open semi-finals since Serena Williams made six in a row between 2011 and 2016.

The 26-year-old Sabalenka was among the many pre-tournament favorites for the hard-court main, having received the Australian Open this yr.

“If you happen to get to the top-5 degree, anyway, everybody will take you as a favourite,” Sabalenka stated.

“However as I all the time say, it isn’t about being favourite, it is about how laborious you are able to combat for it. It may be powerful moments within the matches when you do not really feel your greatest and you must undergo it.

“However I am actually glad they take me as a favourite, and I am going to do my best possible to carry this lovely trophy,” she signed off.