New York, Sep 06 (V7N) — Aryna Sabalenka has secured her place in the US Open final for the second year running after a gripping semi-final match against Emma Navarro. The world number two and double Australian Open champion triumphed with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (7/2), putting her just one win away from her third Grand Slam title.
 
Navarro, making her semi-final debut at a major, put up a valiant fight, especially in the second set where she battled back from a 3-5 deficit to force a tiebreak. Despite Navarro’s resilience, Sabalenka's powerful play and 34 winners proved too much for the 13th-seeded American.
 
In a candid moment post-match, Sabalenka addressed the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd, saying, “Guys, now you're cheering for me. Wow. It's a bit too late.” She continued, “I don’t really care who I face in the final because tonight I heard the crowd cheer for my opponent. I was like, ‘Aryna, stay focused—not this time, guys.’”
 
The Belarusian, who was the runner-up to Coco Gauff last year, relied on her formidable power to take the first set, countering Navarro’s strategic shot placement. Although Navarro managed to cancel out an early break, Sabalenka regained control, closing out the first set with 16 winners, double the number Navarro managed.
 
In the second set, Sabalenka took a 3-2 lead with a critical break. Navarro fought back bravely, saving multiple break points and leveling the score at 5-5 after breaking Sabalenka’s serve. Navarro even held a mini-break in the tiebreak before Sabalenka surged ahead to secure her place in the final.
 
Sabalenka will now await the outcome of the other semi-final between Jessica Pegula and Karolina Muchova to determine her opponent for the championship match on Saturday.
 
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