Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the fourth round of the US Open for the fifth consecutive year and avenged her loss to Leylah Fernandez in the 2021 semi-finals.
Sabalenka evened the score with Fernandez to keep alive her hopes of becoming the first player since Serena Williams to win consecutive titles at Flushing Meadows achieved more than a decade ago.
“It was definitely an exciting match,” Sabalenka said after the match. “Last time we met, it was a great battle. She played an incredible match, and I wanted this revenge badly, so I’m super happy with the win. She’s a great player, a great competitor and always brings you the fight on court.”
The clash included a marriage proposal in the stands during one of the changes of ends, which caught Sabalenka’s attention.
“I think it’s the first time that someone proposed during my match,” she said. “It was a very sweet moment, but I was just trying not to start smiling, because it’s very cute and I believe they’re super happy right now.
“I was just trying to keep focusing on my game. It was a great moment, and I wish them a happy marriage.”
Sabalenka overcame some early jitters on Louis Armstrong Stadium, surviving a marathon opening game that featured three break points before finding her rhythm.
Canadian star Fernandez refused to go quietly and forced a second-set tie-break before the Belarusian’s experience told as she raced to a 6-1 lead before sealing victory with a forehand winner.
The world No 1 is now 21-1 in tie-breaks in 2025 and she has won her last 18 in a row.
Sabalenka will next faced unseeded Spaniard Cristina Bucsa, who knocked out 19th seed Elise Mertens, while two top-10 players exited the draw at the hands of Czech former Wimbledon champions.
Marketa Vondrousova, winner at the All England Club in 2023, knocked out seventh seed Jasmine Paolini 7-6 (7-4) 6-1, and her successor Barbora Krejcikova saw off 10th seed Emma Navarro 4-6 6-4 6-4.
Last year’s finalist Jessica Pegula is through to the fourth round, though, the American defeating former world No 1 Victoria Azarenka 6-1 7-5.
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