Sabalenka enters fourth straight US Open quarterfinal

Aryna Sabalenka added another Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance to her career total with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over No.33 seed Elise Mertens at the US Open on Sunday night.

The 26-year-old Sabalenka, who was last year’s runner-up needed 1 hour and 37 minutes to ease past Belgium’s Mertens and seal a spot in her fourth straight US Open quarterfinal.

“The crowds are amazing,” Sabalenka said, reflecting on her run of success in Flushing Meadows. “I really enjoy playing on these big stadiums, feel all the support. I just don’t want to leave early here, you know. I just want to stay as long as I can and enjoy this beautiful court, beautiful atmosphere.”

Sunday’s victory marked Sabalenka’s 27th hard-court match-win this year. Only Emma Navarro (29) and Iga Swiatek (28) have won more tour-level hard-court matches in 2024.

She next face World No.7 Zheng Qinwen battled through another late-night thriller at the US Open to defeat Donna Vekic 7-6(2), 4-6, 6-2 in a rematch after both players participated at the Olympics games gold medal match in Paris a month ago.

Elsewhere, Emma Navarro came.out on top in an all American battle at the US Open fourth-round match.

The 23-year-old ended Coco Gauff’s consecutive title charge with 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 victory on Sunday.

Earlier, Paula Badosa made her first Grand Slam quarterfinal after beating Chinese Wang Yafan 6-1, 6-2.

she’ll have to take on the American crowd as she bids to reach her first Grand Slam semifinal. She’ll face No.13 seed Emma Navarro.