In the U.S. Open semifinal, Aryna Sabalenka fought a challenging battle against American opponent Emma Navarro. Sabalenka learned from a tough experience last year and focused on controlling her emotions and staying determined in the match. Despite facing a spirited crowd backing Navarro, Sabalenka stayed composed and ultimately won the match 6-3, 7-6 (2) with her aggressive style of play.
Sabalenka, a two-time Australian Open champion, was determined to avoid a repeat of last year’s disappointment at the US Open when she lost in the final. The Belarusian player joked about buying drinks for the crowd to win their support, but she stayed focused on her game throughout the match against Navarro.
Although Navarro showed resilience in the second set, breaking Sabalenka’s serve when she attempted to close out the match, Sabalenka dominated the tiebreaker and secured her spot in the final. Sabalenka will face either Jessica Pegula or Karolina Muchova in the championship match on Saturday.
Navarro, a 23-year-old rising star who defeated Coco Gauff earlier in the tournament, displayed her talent in her first Slam semifinal but couldn’t match Sabalenka’s level of play. Sabalenka’s aggressive style, marked by powerful shots and emotional outbursts, proved too much for Navarro’s steady game.
Sabalenka showcased her versatility on the court, mixing power with delicate drop shots and well-timed returns. She emphasized the importance of having a varied game to surprise opponents, especially in crucial moments. As Sabalenka advanced to her fourth consecutive major final on hard courts, she demonstrated her prowess and determination in pursuit of the US Open title.
