In a thrilling US Open quarterfinal match, Aryna Sabalenka shone brightly in front of a tennis legend as she defeated Zheng Qinwen with ease. The Belarusian star’s performance caught the attention of none other than Roger Federer, who was in attendance at the match. Sabalenka humorously remarked that she believed Federer had come to watch another match, but she was determined to impress him nonetheless.
“Yeah, I saw, I saw him there, saw him on the big screen. I mean, I’m pretty sure he came to watch Tiafoe and Dimitrov, but still, I was like, okay, ‘I have to play my best tennis so he enjoys it. I have to show my skills,’ you know, slice skills, come to the net and all that stuff. (Laughter.) Yeah, that was a nice moment. Nice to see him around,” Sabalenka shared about seeing Federer at her match.
The No. 2 seed put on a masterclass performance, securing a semifinal spot in the tournament. Sabalenka’s flawless play, which included earning two breaks in each set without dropping a game on her serve, left no doubt that she was a force to be reckoned with. Federer, a five-time US Open champion himself, must have been impressed by the Belarusian’s skill and determination on the court.
Looking ahead to her semifinal match against Emma Navarro, Sabalenka is focused on continuing her winning streak and making a mark on the tournament. With players like Iga Swiatek dominating the WTA Tour in recent years, Sabalenka is proving that she too belongs among the top contenders for Grand Slam and WTA 1000 titles. The landscape of women’s tennis has shifted, with multiple players emerging as serious threats to the traditional favorites like Serena Williams.
As Sabalenka prepares to face off against Navarro, all eyes will be on the Belarusian powerhouse to see if she can continue her impressive run at the US Open. With Federer’s watchful eye on her game, Sabalenka will be looking to showcase her skills and prove that she belongs among the elite in women’s tennis.
