US Open: Aryna Sabalenka Saunters into semi-finals with triumph over Zheng Qinwen

Sabalenka’s Strong Start Aryna Sabalenka, widely touted as the favorite for the US Open, commenced her campaign with a commanding 6-1, 6-4 victory over Zheng Qinwen in the opening match on Wednesday. The Belarusian player’s performance lived up to the high expectations associated with her title as the tournament favorite.

Impending World No. 1 Sabalenka’s victory in this match not only solidified her status as a top contender but also ensured her ascent to the world No. 1 ranking, replacing Iga Swiatek. This ranking change is imminent, regardless of her performance in the upcoming semi-final and beyond.

Zheng’s Struggles Zheng Qinwen, a 20-year-old with potential, faced significant challenges in this match. In the opening set, she grappled with the magnitude of the occasion, resulting in a first-service percentage of just 25%. This initial set proved difficult for her as she managed to secure only one game towards the latter stages.

Sabalenka’s Dominance Aryna Sabalenka’s powerful style of play proved to be Zheng’s undoing. Although Zheng displayed resilience in the second set, holding her opening three service games, Sabalenka eventually broke her, making it challenging for Zheng to make a significant comeback.

Reserve Power Despite her commanding performance, Sabalenka left the impression that she possesses additional reserves of skill and power, suggesting that she can elevate her game further if needed as the tournament progresses.

Next Challenge Sabalenka’s next opponent will be determined by the outcome of the opening night match between Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova and Madison Keys, the No.17 seed. This sets the stage for an exciting continuation of Sabalenka’s US Open journey.