Sabalenka Storms Into US Open Quarter-Finals for Fourth Consecutive Year

Aryna Sabalenka continued her dominant run at the US Open, securing her spot in the quarter-finals for the fourth consecutive year with a commanding victory over Elise Mertens. The second seed, who was a finalist in New York last year, defeated her former doubles partner 6-2, 6-4, showcasing her powerful game with 41 winners and saving all eight break points she faced.

This victory makes Sabalenka the first woman to reach four straight US Open quarter-finals since Serena Williams in 2016, underscoring her consistency at Grand Slam events. Sabalenka’s current streak of reaching at least the quarter-finals in her last eight Grand Slam appearances highlights her status as one of the most formidable players on the tour.

Sabalenka will next face China’s Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, who advanced to the last eight by defeating Donna Vekic 7-6 (7-2), 4-6, 6-2. The match, which lasted nearly three hours and ended at 2:15 AM local time, marked the latest finish in a women’s match at the US Open. Sabalenka previously defeated Zheng in the Australian Open final earlier this year.

Elsewhere, Paula Badosa delivered a convincing 6-1, 6-2 win over Wang Yafan to set up a quarter-final clash against Emma Navarro, who ended Coco Gauff’s title defense in a three-set battle. Badosa, a former world number two, has made a remarkable comeback after struggling with a stress fracture in her back that sidelined her for much of the 2023 season. Reflecting on her journey, Badosa revealed, “A few months ago, I was thinking to quit this sport because I stopped believing in myself and my injury wasn’t responding.”

Aryna Sabalenka continued her dominant run at the US Open, securing her spot in the quarter-finals for the fourth consecutive year with a commanding victory over Elise Mertens. The second seed, who was a finalist in New York last year, defeated her former doubles partner 6-2, 6-4, showcasing her powerful game with 41 winners and saving all eight break points she faced.

This victory makes Sabalenka the first woman to reach four straight US Open quarter-finals since Serena Williams in 2016, underscoring her consistency at Grand Slam events. Sabalenka’s current streak of reaching at least the quarter-finals in her last eight Grand Slam appearances highlights her status as one of the most formidable players on the tour.

Sabalenka will next face China’s Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, who advanced to the last eight by defeating Donna Vekic 7-6 (7-2), 4-6, 6-2. The match, which lasted nearly three hours and ended at 2:15 AM local time, marked the latest finish in a women’s match at the US Open. Sabalenka previously defeated Zheng in the Australian Open final earlier this year.

Elsewhere, Paula Badosa delivered a convincing 6-1, 6-2 win over Wang Yafan to set up a quarter-final clash against Emma Navarro, who ended Coco Gauff’s title defense in a three-set battle. Badosa, a former world number two, has made a remarkable comeback after struggling with a stress fracture in her back that sidelined her for much of the 2023 season. Reflecting on her journey, Badosa revealed, “A few months ago, I was thinking to quit this sport because I stopped believing in myself and my injury wasn’t responding.”