Aryna Sabalenka convincingly qualified for the semifinals of the US Open. The Belarusian defeated Karolina Pliskova in two sets – she had to fight in the second round.
Couldn’t be stopped: Aryna Sabalenka.
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Sabalenka prevailed in 81 minutes 6:1, 7:6 (7:4) against an immobile and error-prone Pliskova, repeating her success from the previous year. “I just tried to make them work for the points,” said Sabalenka after the match.
Set one was a disaster from the Czech’s point of view, who only managed one winner – with 15 unforced errors. Sabalenka also played into the cards that Pliskova’s serve didn’t work. The 24-year-old stayed wide awake in the second set and fended off all her opponent’s comeback attempts.
The gaze is directed to the front
Sabalenka is already looking ahead. “It will be very difficult in the semi-finals,” said the 24-year-old, knowing full well that she still has to overcome high hurdles on her way to her first major title. “I’m ready for the next big fight.”
She will either have to tackle the world number one Iga Swiatek from Poland or the American Jessica Pegula.
