WTA #2 Aryna Sabalenka will be up against a familiar opponent Daria Kasatkina in the final 16 of the US Open in women’s singles draw.
Sabalenka believes she will grace her presence on the Arthur Ashe Stadium Court in her match against the Russian. The second seed has not played on the center court at Flushing Meadows in the first three rounds and she revealed her desire to play in front of packed Arthur Ashe stands.
“I mean, of course I have noticed that. Of course I would like to play on Ashe. It’s [a] different atmosphere. Louis Armstrong giving me so much support and I like playing there, but yeah, I hope that next match will be on Ashe.
“No pressure. I feel good on Louis. Feel good on Ashe. It’s, yeah, whatever,” she said about the main stadium that has a capacity of 22,000 spectators.
Whatever the situation is and wherever the match goes down, the Belarusian knows how to beat the Russian after leading their head-to-head 4-2. Sabalenka feels that her composure could allow her to make it 5-2 against Kasatkina to earn a quarterfinal berth.
“Yeah, always tricky matches against her,” said Sabalenka about Kasatkina.
“She’s playing great tennis. Moving really well. Trying to get everything she can back on that side.
“I feel like I have to be focused and I don’t have to overrush things against her. I just have to stay calm and just wait for the opportunity and take it.”
Sabalenka thrashed Frenchwoman Clara Burel one less for a bagel in both frames (6-1, 6-1) to set a R16 showdown against the #14 seed. In a close battle with Iga Swiatek for world No. 1 rank, she wants to take it one match at a time at the season-ending slam of the calendar. The Belarusian was happy with her game as it took her exactly one hour to end Burel’s impressive run in the tournament.
“I’m super happy with the performance today. I think I played really great tennis today. Just super happy with this win,” Sabalenka said.
“I felt good and ready to go. Yeah, I felt pretty comfortable on court today.”
The big hitting Sabalenka felt pleased about the improvement in her serve after having a shaky start at the slam.
“I [am] definitely not happy with the start of the US Open, with those few games on my serve when I served a lot of double faults. But I’m happy that I was able to fix it and start serving better.”
In their most recent pairing at Western and Southern Open (Cincinnati Masters), Sabalenka prevailed emphatically against Kasatkina for a straight sets triumph. The Russian’s last win over the #2 seed came in Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic in San Jose in Aug 2022 where she beat the Belarusian 6-4, 7-5, 6-0 in the quarterfinal.