All posts tagged: Sabalenka

From desperation to confidence, Sabalenka flips the script

From desperation to confidence, Sabalenka flips the script

Published by Sam Flores

NEW YORK, Sept 10 : Aryna Sabalenka said she had been desperate to get a grip on a season that was threatening to spiral out of control after the world number one beat Jessica Pegula 7-5 6-2 on Thursday to book a spot in the U.S. Open final. The top seed had not reached the final of any tournament since completing the “Sunshine Double” in March and arrived at Flushing Meadows with major questions about her form.  But she has silenced those doubts with a clinical campaign in New York, beating Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in the quarter-finals before taking down the top American Pegula. She now stands on the brink of completing a rare “three-peat” at the hardcourt major in her fourth straight trip to the championship match on Saturday. “I just love New York,” said Sabalenka, whose last Grand Slam triumph came at Flushing Meadows last year. “I love being here, and I love the energy of the city. I think that’s what drives me. That’s what really inspires me and pushes me to keep going.” …

Noskova prepared for anything against quarter-final foe Sabalenka

Noskova prepared for anything against quarter-final foe Sabalenka

Published by Sam Flores

NEW YORK, Sept 6 : Linda Noskova will need every tool in her arsenal against creative powerhouse Aryna Sabalenka this week, as the Wimbledon champion booked a meeting with the title defender in a delectable U.S. Open quarter-final showdown. The Czech sixth seed survived a mid-match fightback from 11th seed Marta Kostyuk 7-5 5-7 6-4 on Sunday to set up the clash of big-hitting Grand Slam winners, sure to be among the hot tickets in Flushing Meadows. “She’s very consistent in whatever she does, if it’s either the serve or she’s going into every return that she can or, you know, just playing so, so solid from the baseline and not being afraid to go on the net as well and using some dropshots or slices, you know, to mix up the rhythm,” said Noskova. Sabalenka beat her in both of their previous two meetings, most recently the Belarusian’s title run in Indian Wells, and has appeared unstoppable so far in New York, where she has yet to drop a set.  “The last one in Indian Wells, …