Sabalenka Overpowers Zheng To Secure Spot In US Open Semifinals

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Aryna Sabalenka joked that she would buy drinks to win over the Flushing Meadows crowd for her US Open semi-final against Emma Navarro. Home favourite Navarro faces an in-form Sabalenka, who showcased her dominance by defeating Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng in the quarter-finals.

Sabalenka secured a commanding 6-1, 6-2 victory on Tuesday, replicating her success from this year's Australian Open final against Zheng. This win marked the third time in her career that Sabalenka conceded fewer than five games against a WTA top-10 opponent, following victories over Coco Gauff and Maria Sakkari last year.

Despite her impressive form, Sabalenka is aware that American Navarro will have strong support from the home crowd. Navarro advanced to the semi-finals by defeating defending champion Gauff and Paula Badosa.

"OK guys, drinks on me - and please give me some support in the next match," she laughed. "She [Navarro] is a really good player. We had two battles; they were really close."

Spectators included tennis legend Roger Federer, adding to the pressure for Sabalenka. "I saw him there, saw him on the big screen," she said about Federer, a five-time US Open champion. "I was like, OK, I have to play my best tennis so he enjoys it. I have to show my skills, you know, slice skills, come to the net and all that stuff."

Consistent Success at Grand Slams

Sabalenka has now reached four consecutive US Open semi-finals, bringing her total grand slam semi-final appearances to nine. At 26 years old, she is the youngest woman since 2002 to achieve this feat at Flushing Meadows.

Additionally, Sabalenka is the first player since Serena Williams (2015-16) to reach both the Australian Open and US Open women's singles semi-finals in back-to-back years.

The upcoming match promises excitement as both players bring their best game to the court. Fans eagerly await to see if Sabalenka can continue her dominant run or if Navarro will leverage home advantage for an upset.