Aryna Sabalenka advances to semi-finals after defeating Zheng Qinwen in the US Open 2023 tournament

Second Seed Aryna Sabalenka Powers Her Way into US Open Semi-Finals

Sabalenka Triumphs over Zheng in Dominant Fashion

In a display of sheer dominance, second seed Aryna Sabalenka secured her place in the semi-finals of the US Open for the third consecutive year with an emphatic victory over Chinese player Zheng Qinwen, who entered the match as the tournament’s 23rd seed. The Belarusian powerhouse won convincingly by a scoreline of 6-1,6-4.

This triumph comes on top of another significant accomplishment – earlier this week, it was announced that after the conclusion of this tournament, Sabalenka will take over as the new world number one. With this win under her belt and her soaring confidence, she is poised to make a strong statement at Flushing Meadows.

A Shot at Redemption: A Chance for First-Ever New York Final

Despite consistently reaching impressive heights at the US Open in recent years, including two previous semi-final appearances, Sabalenka has yet to play in a final on these prestigious courts. This time around, however, she aims to rewrite history and secure her spot in what could be her maiden New York final.

Potential Opponents Await – Vondrousova or Keys?

Awaiting Sabalenka’s challenge is either Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova or American crowd-favorite Madison Keys. The Czech ninth seed and the 2017 US Open runner-up will go head-to-head in Wednesday’s night session.

This highly anticipated match is scheduled to start at 19:00 local time (00:00 BST, Thursday). Sabalenka, for her part, is more than ready to face whoever emerges victorious from this thrilling quarter-final encounter.

Stepping Up Her Game – Mentally and Physically

Reflecting on her previous semi-final defeats against Canada’s Leylah Fernandez and Poland’s Iga Swiatek, Sabalenka acknowledges that she has learned valuable lessons. With newfound mental strength and improved physical abilities, she now possesses the tools to triumph in crucial rallies and remain focused throughout the grueling matches.

“I am fully prepared to play wherever I need to play now,” says Sabalenka confidently as she continues her quest for glory at Flushing Meadows.

Sabalenka – Pre-Tournament Favorite Proving Herself

Prior to the start of the US Open, experts regarded Aryna Sabalenka as one of the top contenders for the title alongside defending champion Iga Swiatek. Her remarkable form throughout this year combined with her success on the New York hard courts made her a favorite among many fans and pundits alike.

The exit of top seed Swiatek in earlier rounds further solidified this belief. Having already reached at least semi-finals in all four majors of 2023, becoming only the second woman since Serena Williams achieved such an accomplishment back in 2016, there seems little doubt regarding Sabalenka’s potential as a future Grand Slam champion once again.

A Display of Absolute Domination

Sabalenka entered this quarter-final clash without dropping a single set in the tournament so far, having lost just 16 games across her previous four matches. She continued her remarkable form against the highly touted Zheng, overwhelming her opponent from the very beginning.

The Belarusian star wasted no time in establishing control over the match, winning seven consecutive points and securing an early break to go up 5-0. The first set was wrapped up in just 27 minutes as Sabalenka allowed Zheng to win only four points throughout.

Zheng’s Resilience Shines Through

Despite being faced with such relentless aggression from Sabalenka, Zheng showcased impressive resilience and settled into the contest as it progressed. This quarter-final appearance marked a significant milestone for the young Chinese player on her maiden journey through a major tournament.

Drama Unfolds – A Closer Second Set

The second set proved to be more closely contested with both players fighting hard for each point. However, it was Sabalenka who managed to secure a crucial break of serve in the sixth game that ultimately made all the difference.

Although Zheng saved one match point on her own serve, Sabalenka seized another opportunity and sealed victory after Zheng hit a backhand into the net. The match concluded impressively within one hour and thirteen minutes of play.