Aryna Sabalenka produced an impressive performance to get past Emma Navarro and clinch her spot in US Open final for a second year in a row on Thursday night. They’re cheering for her, but how can they help her to win the match? Only if I let them get into my head and only if I’m going to just lose myself, get crazy. I’m really glad that the lesson’s learned, that I was able to control my emotions, and close this match in two sets.
The Belarusian World No 2 ended the American 13th seed’s run in the first semi-final with a gritty 6-3 7-6(2) win in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Sabalenka, the runner-up to Coco Gauff last year, needed 90 minutes to fend off Navarro, who was contesting her first Grand Slam semi-final, and pushed the second set into a tiebreak from 3-5 down.
“I worked really hard on my mindset on the match,” Sabalenka said afterwards. “I think I made really huge improvement on that calmness, on that crucial moments. Even if things are not working well for me, I still keep doing right things, and I’m staying in control. I’m really proud, I’m actually really proud of myself that I was able to get to the point when I’m in control of my emotions.”
23-year old Navarro is also proud of her run, even if it did not end in a final appearance, as she had upset defending champion Coco Gauff and then dismissed Spain’s Paula Badosa to earn her a spot in her maiden Grand Slam semi-final.
Coming into New York, Navarro joked with her team that she ‘wanted to win one match at the US Open’, because, before this year, she had never won a match in her hometown Grand Slam.
On Monday she will vault into the Top 10 of the PIF WTA Rankings for the first time, at No 8.
In Thursday night’s semi-final against Sabalenka, a 2-time major winner and last year’s US Open finalist, Navarro came in as a significant underdog.
The American did her level best to withstand the bruising barrage of big serves and heavy groundstrokes launched her way by the 6-foot Sabalenka, who is intimidating, but Navarro was not intimidated.
The way more experienced Belarusian, now a 6-time Grand Slam semi-finalist, then wobbled as well, also dropping her serve, but after they tied the score at 2-2, they both had settled in.
Gradually, the Belarusian gained the upper hand with her high-risk power game, breaking and building a 5-2 lead, and although Navarro held onto her serve, closing out the game with her first ace, Sabalenka pocketed the set, firing 16 winners to the American’s 8, and seemed to have everything under control well into the second.
She broke for 3-2 and served for the match at 5-4, but, suddenly, Navarro used superb speed and well-timed passing shots to jolt the No 2 seed, and a forehand return winner gave the American double break point, and she broke for 5-5 after Sabalenka misfired on a backhand.
Somewhat of a come-back queen, it looked as if Navarro might pull out another remarkable fight-back, but Sabalenka’s topspin forehand speed was a serious hurdle to overcome, as she was averaging 78 mph, similar to the speeds clocked among the top men this fortnight.
The matter went to a tiebreak, and when Sabalenka double-faulted to fall behind 2-0, a third set became a distinct possibility.
Sabalenka, though, steadied herself and regrouped, cranked a forehand winner to get herself on the board in the breaker, and firmly wrested back the momentum, powering to a 3-2 lead by finishing an 18-point rally with a winning volley.
The American broke serve with her back against the wall, and then confidently held for a 5-6 with the home crowd roaring its approval as Navarro appeared to grow stronger and Sabalenka wobblier.
The No 2 seed, though, proved unstoppable from there, and a commanding smash gave her a 7th point to close out the match, punching her ticket to a second US Open final appearance.
“I wasn’t ready for the match to be over there at 5-3,” Navarro said later. “I really wanted to stick in there and keep playing. The crowd got into it, which was awesome.”
During her on court interview, an elated Sabalenka teased the crowd for their delayed support of her.
“Oh, now you guys cheer for me!” she laughed, acknowledging how hard it is to compete against an American in Ashe.
Still, 2 days ago, she had promised free drinks for their support: “Margaritas for everyone from Dobel Tequila!” she promised, still laughing.
Sabalenka will face another American in Saturday’s final, 6th-seeded Jessica Pegula, against whom she leads their head-to-head, 5-2, while she is the only person to beat Pegula during this summer’s North American hard-court swing, in the Cincinnati final.
Having upset World No 1 Swiatek in the quarters, Pegula found her way past against the unseeded but dangerous Karolina Muchova from the Czech Republic, 1-6 6-4 6-2, in the second semi-final, later on Day 1.
“I don’t really care who I play,” Sabalenka said. “I’m ready to face whomever. I just hope I do a little bit better this year.”
Sabalenka, who has dropped only one set on her way into Saturday’s finals, is bidding to win her second consecutive tournament, after taking the title at the Cincinnati Open before arriving in New York, and relishing the chance to capture her 3rd major singles title: “I’m still hoping to hold that beautiful trophy.”
