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Sabalenka crushes rival to storm into US Open third round

Aryna Sabalenka delivered a masterclass in power tennis, obliterating Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-1, 6-3 to book her place in the US Open third round. The world number two never looked in danger, firing 27 winners and converting five of six break points in a 72-minute clinic at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

How Sabalenka dismantled Sasnovich

Sabalenka served at 78% for the match, a statistic that tells the story of her dominance. She dropped only nine points on serve, while Sasnovich struggled to find rhythm, managing just 12 winners to 22 unforced errors.

The Belarusian star opened with a love hold, then broke Sasnovich in the second game with a forehand return winner. From there, she reeled off five straight games, mixing blistering groundstrokes with precise net play.

Sasnovich showed fight in the second set, breaking back immediately after Sabalenka took the opener. But the world number two responded with a break of her own, then held firm to close out the match on her first match point.

Sabalenka’s US Open record since 2021

Why this matters for the Gulf

Sabalenka’s form will interest tennis fans across the UAE and wider Gulf. The region has become a hotspot for the sport, with Dubai hosting the annual WTA 1000 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

Last year’s Dubai tournament drew over 100,000 spectators, with Sabalenka a crowd favorite during her run to the semifinals. Her aggressive style mirrors the growing popularity of power tennis among young players in the UAE, where tennis participation has risen 15% since 2020 according to the UAE Tennis Federation.

With the 2025 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships less than six months away, Sabalenka’s US Open campaign offers a preview of what fans might expect next February.

What’s next for Sabalenka

The two-time Grand Slam champion will face either Wang Yafan or a qualifier in the third round. If she maintains this level, she could be on a collision course with Iga Świątek in the quarterfinals, setting up a rematch of last year’s final.

Sabalenka has spoken about her goal to win multiple majors in a season. After claiming the Australian Open in January, the US Open represents her best chance to add a second Slam in 2024.

Sabalenka’s 2024 Grand Slam results

• Australian Open: Champion (d. Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 6-2)
• French Open: Semifinalist (lost to Iga Świątek 6-7, 7-6, 4-6)
• Wimbledon: Second round (lost to Katie Boulter 7-6, 4-6, 4-6)
• US Open: Third round (so far)

Will Sabalenka’s power game be enough to conquer New York again? Share your predictions in the comments.

Source: Dubai Eye 103.8 original report