tennis
Favorite Sabalenka at the US Open easily continues, Jabeur out
Aryna Sabalenka takes the lead in the world rankings for the first time in her career. photo
© Adam Hunger/AP/dpa
After the US Open, Aryna Sabalenka will be the new number 1 in the world tennis rankings – and she’s already doing well at the tournament. Another title contender, however, fails.
Aryna Sabalenka is spurred on by the impending jump to the top of the world tennis rankings US Open stormed into quarterfinals. The 25-year-old Belarusian won against the Russian Darja Kassatkina 6:1, 6:3 in 75 minutes and showed a dominant performance.
Due to the defeat of the top seeded titleholder Iga Swiatek from Poland in the round of 16, Sabalenka will take the lead in the world rankings for the first time in her career after the Grand Slam tournament in New York.
“It means so much to me, this goal has driven me all year. It’s crazy, I still can’t believe it,” said Sabalenka after reaching the quarterfinals. “I was worried that it would distract me today. I’m super happy with today’s win.”
Now the clear favorite again
In the round of the top eight she is again the clear favorite against Zheng Qinwen. The 20-year-old Chinese defeated Ons Jabeur from Tunisia, fifth in the world rankings, surprisingly clearly in 82 minutes 6: 4, 6: 2. Zheng is in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in her career. In another duel in the round of the top eight, Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova from the Czech Republic and Madison Keys from the USA will meet.
Before Jabeur, other title contenders, Swiatek and world number three Jessica Pegula from the USA, had already been eliminated in the round of 16. Fourth seeded Jelena Rybakina from Kazakhstan is also no longer there.