TAKE A BOW, ARYNA! 💯 Down a set and 3-5, @SabalenkaA rallies to topple Madison Keys, 0-6, 7-6 (1), 7-6 (10-5), just before 1 a.m. 😱 Sabalenka will seek her second hard-court major title of the year Saturday against Coco Gauff. @LIVAUDAIS reports from the #USOpen:
Sabalenka's magnificent comeback over Madison Keys secures US Open final berth
WTAFriday, 08 September 2023 at 09:37
Aryna
Sabalenka secured her first US Open final appearance with an incredible
comeback victory over Madison Keys, winning 0-6, 7-6(1), 7-6(5).
Few could
have predicted Keys' remarkable campaign at Flushing Meadows, where she
defeated four seeded players: Ludmila Samsonova (14th), Jessica Pegula (3rd),
Marketa Vondrousova (9th), and now the world No. 2, Aryna Sabalenka.
Sabalenka
reached the semifinals of a Grand Slam for the fourth time this year,
establishing herself as the most successful major player with a 22-3 record in
majors this year, including the Australian Open title.
With Iga
Swiatek's defeat in the fourth round, Sabalenka secured the world No. 1 ranking
regardless of her performance from that point forward, making her the leader of
the WTA rankings starting next Monday.
The first
set exceeded the expectations of the local fans, as Sabalenka struggled with
errors and couldn't find answers to Keys, who was returning nearly every shot.
In just 31 minutes, the American surprised the crowd with an incredible 6-0
victory over the new world No. 1.
Keys hit 12
winners and made only 5 unforced errors, while Sabalenka managed just three
winners and committed 11 unforced errors. Keys displayed excellent court
positioning to return her opponent's serves and won 70% of her return points.
The second
set started in a similar fashion for Sabalenka as she lost her serve in the
third game. Although she immediately broke back, Keys demonstrated strength
with her returns and regained her lead at 4-2.
Keys was up
5-4 and serving to win the set, but Sabalenka resisted and turned the match
around with a break. Both players held their serves to force a tie-break, with
Keys saving two set points against her.
The 2023
Australian Open champion showed her class in the tie-break, adding tension by
taking the match to a third set. Both players went out in search of the final
set. Keys secured the first break in the sixth game, and Sabalenka promptly
broke back in the next.
The match
extended to a 10-point tie-break, where Sabalenka quickly took a 4-0 lead. The
Belarusian managed her advantage well to close out the match 0-6, 7-6(1),
7-6(5).
Sabalenka
will seek her second Grand Slam title against the last American hope, world No.
6 Coco Gauff, who defeated Karolina Muchova in the semifinals
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- Who is making up these rankings btw?
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mandoist19-11-2024 - 'Apologies', in cases like this where people are caught being their True Selves, are best shoved up their butts.mandoist19-11-2024
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