Aryna Sabalenka eyes Leylah Fernandez revenge in US Open third round
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Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in action against Polina Kudermertova of Russia during the second round of the US Open.
PHOTO: EPA
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NEW YORK – Defending US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka says she is a “better player and person” than the one who lost to Leylah Fernandez four years ago, as they prepare for a rerun of their 2021 semi-final.
The Belarusian overcame a spirited challenge from unseeded Russian Polina Kudermetova to advance to the third round in New York on Aug 27.
World No. 1 Sabalenka claimed the tense first set at the Arthur Ashe Stadium before putting away her opponent 7-6 (7-4), 6-2. The win sent her through to a first meeting with Canadian 31st seed Fernandez since their semi-final clash at Flushing Meadows four years ago.
Fernandez won that showdown before losing the final to Britain’s Emma Raducanu, but Sabalenka is reluctant to dwell on the past.
“I think I better (not) remember anything from that match, because I think I changed a lot,” she said.
“I had really tough challenges after that, and I went through. I found myself. I become a better player and a person.
“So I think it’s going to be completely different match. I better don’t even try to remember that match.
“But, of course, I do remember a couple of things, and I love rematches. So I’m actually super excited facing her here again.”
The 27-year-old Sabalenka is bidding to become the first woman to retain the US Open title since Serena Williams in 2014.
“I have to focus on myself. I know that if I’m able to bring my game and fight for every point I’ll have my chances. I try to bring the best fight possible every time,” she added.
In another match, Indonesian qualifier Janice Tjen’s US Open campaign ground to a halt with a comprehensive second-round loss to Raducanu.
Tjen upset Russian 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova on Aug 24 to become the first Indonesian to play in the main singles draw of a Grand Slam since 2004.
But any hopes of a sustained giant-killing run at Flushing Meadows evaporated in a 6-2, 6-1 defeat by 2021 champion Raducanu at the Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Raducanu booked her place in the third round with a clinical performance, pulling Tjen, 23, all over the court with a succession of powerful deep groundstrokes into the corners.
The Briton, 22, raced to the finish line in just an hour, her quickest Grand Slam win.
“I’m very pleased with how I played today. Janice is a super dangerous opponent, and I thought any ball that I put that wasn’t good enough, she just put away,” Raducanu said.
“Janice is playing some really dangerous tennis and beat one of the top seeds in the first round. I’m sure she can build and take a lot of confidence from this. I’m looking forward to the next time I play her.”
She will face 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the next round.
While Raducanu stays in the fray, her compatriot Jack Draper, the 2024 semi-finalist, has withdrawn because of an arm injury. AFP, REUTERS
