The US Open
US Open Women’s Day 6
Aryna Sabalenka moved into the second week of the US Open on Saturday 6-1, 6-1 over France’s Clara Burel as the second seed kept up the chase for a second Grand Slam title this season.
Reigning Australian Open champion Sablenka completed a match set of fourth-round appearances at the majors this season as she mowed down her outclassed opponent in 61 minutes.
The winner is working to overhaul WTA No. 1 Iga Swiatek at the top of the rankings but must match the performance of the steady Pole here.
The victory over qualifier Burel – 47th of the year for Sabalenka – duplicated a similar win here a year ago – also in the third round and also with the loss of just two games.
Sabalenka advanced with 21 winners, sealing victory with a backhand on second match point.
“I think I played really great tennis today, I’m just super happy with this win.
“I felt pretty comfortable on court today.”
No. 62 Burel, the 2018 junior runner-up, has now lost all five of her meetings with Top 5 opponents and has won a singles set over the losing streak.
Sabalenka takes a 4-2 record into next week’s clash with Daria Kasatkina, who booked her spot 6-3, 6-4 over Belgian qualifier Greet Minnen.
“It’s always tricky matches against her, she’s playing great tennis, moving really well,” Sabalenka said of her next opponent.
“I have to be focused and not rush things against her. I just have to stay calm, wait for the opportunity and take it.”
The second seed has yet to be scheduled on the Ashe showcase court, a venue she would love to now use.
“Of course I would like to play on Ashe; it’s a different atmosphere,” she said.
“Armstrong (court) gives me so much support and I like playing there, but I hope the next match will be on Ashe.”
Third-seeded Jessica Pegula moved to one win away from her seventh quarter-final at the grand Slam with a fighting 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 defeat of popular Ukrainian Elina Svitolina.
The US No. 1 moved into a fourth-round clash with compariot and 2017 finalist Madison Keys, who sparked memories of her better days here with a 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 fightback to put out Liudmila Samsonova.
Pegula earned a personal-best 46th win of the season and stands 1102 this summer on North American hardcourts after winning the Montreal trophy last month.
The seed defeated Svitolina for the fourth time in five matches, advancing as her opponent’s return landed long on match point.after breaking twice in the deciding set.
“I knew no matter what, she wasn’t going to go away,” Pegula said.“
“She’s been playing amazing. She really picked up her level and forced me to go after that third set.”
Main photo:- Aryna Sabalenka wins third round match Photo Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
Alexander Zverev on Thursday made a long-sought after return to the Shanghai Masters semi-finals, booking his first final four at the event since 2019, defeating Alex de Minaur 6-4, 6-4.
The 2027 year-end No. 1 last got this far as the Covid pandemic began to surface in China in 2019. The event was not played 2020-2022, with the German making modest progress here over the past three editions since resumption.
After winning his 62nd match of the season, the 29-year-old was pleased with his performance.
“I think it was a huge step up. From just being on the court I felt both of us were playing really well.
“I was, a lot of the time, outhitting Alex, which is difficult to do from the baseline because he is so fast and he loves this kind of court speed here.
“I felt good and I’m happy with the step up from the past couple of matches.”
Zverev advanced in 78 minutes, sending over 10 aces as he defeated the Australian for the ninth time in their 13 matches.
Added the reigning Roland Garros and Flushing Meadows Grand Slam champion: “I’ve been handling pressure quite okay this year. In a way you play a bit more relaxed.
“Once Jannik (SInner) unfortunately announced he won’t play for the rest of the year, I’m 4,000 points ahead of everyone else, so I trust myself enough that I’m going to win [enough matches].
Zverev will play for the final to wrap up the Asian swing as he takes on Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who advanced when Arthur Gea quit their quarter-final with injury.
Alexander Zverev will claim world year-end No. 1 honours for the first time on the back of two Grand Slam titles and a final this season.,
The ATP confirmed the changing of the guard as current No. 1 Jannik Sinner ended his season early last week due to a knee injury which has kept him off court since winning Wimbledon three months ago.
Zverev won Roland Garros and US Open trophies and lost to Sinner in the All England Club final.
His reign at the top will begin after the ATP Final in Turin with the ranking period starting on November 23.
Zverev will be 29 years, 217 days old on the date, three days older than Andre Agassi in 1999 (29 years, 214 days).
Main photo:- Alexander Zverev by ISF Ltd
The protagonists from the just-completed China Open will give the WTA Wuhan event a miss, with both Zheng Qinwen and finalist Mirra Andreeva skipping the key Asian date.
Beijing weekend champion Zheng who thrilled a nation with her home title victory, is claiming a right shoulder injury which Andreeva feels “fatigue.”
“I’m very sorry to share that I will be withdrawing from this year’s Wuhan Open,” Zheng said in a statement. “Wuhan is where my tennis dream began, and the Wuhan Open is also where I made my breakthrough at the WTA 1000 level.
“I have always looked forward to competing in front of my hometown fans.
“Since returning from injury, however, I have played a demanding stretch of tennis over the past month and a half, competing at the US Open, the Billie Jean King Cup, and the China Open.
“My body is feeling very fatigued after this intense run of matches. I look forward to returning to the Wuhan Open next year and stepping onto the court in my best possible form!”
Andreeva’s Beijing performance has lifted the teenager into the ranking top 3 for the first time and gives her a shot at the world No. 1 ranking by season’s end next month.
Main photo :-Zheng Quinwen by ISF Ltd
Zverev scratches 7-year itch with return to Shanghai SF
Tenth time lucky as Li knocks out Sabalenka
Zverev celebrates No. 1 status with Shanghai QF
-
Beijing2 weeks agoNo. 1 and 2 seeds ousted in Beijing WTA
-
ATP2 weeks agoBu hoo for China as Djokovic outlasts a local
-
ATP3 weeks agoItalian media fear Sinner may need surgery
-
ATP2 weeks agoDjokovic reaches 7th Beijing final as Medvedev DQ’d
-
ATP2 weeks agoDjokovic untouchable after 30th win in Beijing
-
ATP1 week agoAlcaraz beats Lehecka to triumph in Tokyo
-
ATP1 week agoDjokovic backs into 7th Beijing title as injured de Minaur quits
-
Billy Jean King Cup3 weeks agoCzechs charge to BJK Cup title