The US Open
Sabalenka turns in winning performance as Federer looks on
Aryna Sabalenka felt the aura of Roger Federer in the US Open quarter-final crowd as the second seed impressed with a crushing 6-1, 6-2 defeat of Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen to reach the New York final.
The two-time AustralianOpen winner claimed quick victory in a repeat of the 2024 final over her Chinese opponent last January.
Sabalenka improved to a near-perfect 9-1 in career Grand Slam quarter-finals.
Five-time Open champion Federer was visiting New York for sponsor duties and took advantage of a chance to attend the tennis spectacular on the Ashe showcourt.
World NO. 2 Saba;enka could not contain her excitement at seeing the legend – even from afar.
“I saw him there, saw him on the big screen,” she said of the Swiss who lifted five consecutive titles during the rainy, pre-roof years from 2004 and 2008.
“I was like, OK, I have to play my best tennis so he enjoys it. I have to show my slice skills, come to the net and all that stuff.”
Sabalenka won into a Thursday semi against American Emma Navarro, who defeated Spain’s Paula Badosa 6-2, 7-5.
Sabalenka becomes the first woman to reach four straight US Open semi-finals since Serena Williams did six on the trot 2011-2016.
“I always say, it’s not about being favorite, it’s about how hard you’re ready to fight for it,” she said.
“It’s going to be tough moments in the matches when you don’t feel your best and you have to go through it. But I’m really glad they take me as a favorite, and I’ll do my very best to hold this beautiful trophy.”
Sabalenka lost the final here a year ago to Coco Gauff, she stands level 2-all with Navarro.
Main photo:- Aryna Sabalenka into US Open Semi-final – by 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
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