Aryna Sabalenka’s quest for a third consecutive U.S. Open title remained on track when the No. 1 seed from Belarus advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Taylor Townsend on Sunday.
The victory, in 1 hour, 15 minutes, over the unseeded Townsend of the United States was not without its challenges after Sabalenka trailed 3-1 in the second set following a break of serve.
Sabalenka responded in dominating fashion, breaking Townsend’s serve three consecutive times the rest of the way to close out the round-of-16 match.
Sabalenka will now face the winner of Sunday’s match between No. 11 seed Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine and No. 6 seed Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic, who is the Wimbledon champion.
“It’s definitely super challenging, and I think it’s really important to focus on yourself and just put as much pressure as you can on that side,” Sabalenka said about the depth of the women’s draw.
Townsend had six aces to two for Sabalenka to thrill the U.S. crowd but Sabalenka won 54% of her service points to 43% for her opponent.
In the opening set, Sabalenka was broken in her first two service games and three total times. But she broke Townsend’s serve four times and won the opening set on her own serve.
“What an incredible player she is,” Sabalenka said of Townsend in her on-court interview. “Approaching the net, what a great returner, moving well, very brave. It was really challenging playing her, especially here.”
Sabalenka even had praise for the neutral crowd.
“But I gotta say, thank you so much for being so respectful to me,” she said. “Obviously you guys are going to be on her side, but I didn’t expect you being so respectful to me and sometimes cheering for me, so I really appreciate that. And I’m happy, I’m happy to be through this really tough opponent.”
–Field Level Media
