Hard-hitting Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka reached her fourth straight US Open semi-final as she rolled past China’s Zheng Qinwen 6-1, 6-2
When Aryna Sabalenka first emerged on the professional tennis circuit, it would have been a profound understatement to describe her as inconsistent. She was raw and incredibly volatile, blessed with so much power that she could only occasionally control. At times, Sabalenka seemed as likely to hit the back fence as she was to successfully outhit an opponent.
“Nowadays, I’m just trying to take things easier. just tennis, you know. I’m just trying to bring my best tennis every time and just trying to fight for it, and I know that no matter what’s going to happen on the court, I’m going to fight for it. If it’s meant to be, it’s going to happen.” Zheng had particularly been in devastating serving form, firing 49 aces in four matches and winning 80% of her first serve points. But her service motion is also unconventional and hitchy, meaning her serve is devastating when it lands in but her first serve percentage is often low. She finished with 44% first serves in.In her opening service game, Zheng missed five of her first six first serves, allowing Sabalenka to eviscerate her second serve and immediately break her.
“Of course affects a lot,” she said. “Especially I couldn’t sleep after I finished the match 2:30 in the morning. This affected I’m not able to practise yesterday, because yesterday I was feeling terrible. I couldn’t wake up. I even wanted to play tennis, but I don’t feel I could do it.”Sabalenka will next face Emma Navarro, the 13th seed, after the American reached her first grand slam semi-final with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Paula Badosa of Spain.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Red-hot Aryna Sabalenka overpowers Jessica Pegula in Cincinnati Open finalThe Belarusian claimed the trophy in Ohio with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over the American
Read more »
Aryna Sabalenka shares big regret in aftermath of ex-partner’s death7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
Aryna Sabalenka: ‘I thought I had to just keep going … it damaged my mental health’World No 2 on grief and stress after former partner’s death and her burgeoning rivalry with Iga Swiatek
Read more »
US Open 2024 day one: Gauff, Shelton, Zheng, Zverev all in actionCoco Gauff begins her title defence and Ben Shelton takes on Dominic Thiem as the year’s final tennis grand slam begins. Join Yara El-Shaboury for updates from New York
Read more »
A designer’s favourite designer: ‘Everything he does is daring, cool and sexy’Fashion designer Courtney Zheng talks about the brand she started saving for as a teen.
Read more »
US Open 2024 day three: Townsend v Badosa, Hijikata v Dimitrov, and moreLast year’s finalist Aryna Sabalenka is in action once again while Britain’s Harriet Dart hopes to make it to the third round for the first time in New York. Join Daniel Harris
Read more »