The loss to Leylalah Fernandez in the open semifinal of 2021 was a heartbroken issue for Aryna Sabalenka. She had looked at a clear path to what could be her first big title, and was a heavy favorite by the four semifinalists, but Fernandez played from her skin and scored a 7-6 (3), 4-4 victory.
“If you are not using your options, someone else will use it. That’s what happened today,” Sabalenka said at the time. “I will try to improve it. I will continue to work and fight, and I believe one day will come.”
Following the defeat of Polina Kuddermetovo 7-6 (4), 6-2 in Arthur Ase Stadium, Sabalenka will finally take her match with Canadian.
World no. 1 is a completely different player these days. She has added three main titles to her resume and has reached at least the quarter -finals in each of her last major appearances.
On Friday in New York, she said she is looking forward to the challenge.
“I don’t remember anything from that match because I think I’ve changed a lot,” she said. “I really had difficult challenges after that, and I passed. I was found. I became a better player and a person.
“So I think it will be a completely different match. Of course, I remember some things, and I love matches. So I’m actually very excited to face it here again.”
Sabalenka has now won 17 Tiebreaks in a row after nuder last nuder, in the first-19th-19th break from its last 20 in general.
