Aryna Sabalenka triumphs over Emma Navarro to make second straight US Open final
The Belarussian beat home favourite Navarro 6-3 7-6 (2) to reach a fourth grand slam showpiece match
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Aryna Sabalenka is one win away from a maiden US Open title after bulldozing her way to the final.
The Belarussian, who was runner-up to Coco Gauff last season, is the hot favourite to go one better this year after dismissing home favourite Emma Navarro in the semi-final.
Sabalenka beat the 13th seed 6-3 7-6 (2) to reach a fourth grand slam showpiece match, where she will play another American in Jessica Pegula in the final.
All of those have been on the hard court, where few can cope with the Belarussian’s brut force from the baseline and it makes her the woman to beat.
She fired 34 winners and eight aces as she hit her opponent off the court.
Her dominant display ends a breakthrough grand slam for Navarro, who beat defending champion Gauff in the quarter-finals, and her prize is a place in the world’s top 10 when the new rankings are updated.
“It really means a lot, it was an incredible atmosphere,” she said.
“She is such a great player, a really tough opponent, I am really happy to get through this difficult semi-final.
“I had to stay focused on myself.
“I am ready to face whoever, it’s a lesson from the last year learned and I really hope I am going to do better than last year.”
Sabalenka broke in just the second game and there was no real way back for Navarro from there, even though she managed a break back at 2-2.
The world number two, who won the warm-up event in Cincinnati put her foot to the pedal, winning four of the next games to take the first set.
She dominated the second set and served for the set at 5-4 before a wobble gave hope to Navarro, who forced a tiebreak.
Sabalenka regained her level, though, and won the tiebreak to claim a deserved win.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments