Aryna Sabalenka becomes first since Serena Williams to reach four straight US Open quarterfinals

Aryna Sabalenka finished as runner-up in 2023 US Open.

Two-time Australian Open Grand Slam winner, Aryna Sabalenka stormed into her fourth consecutive US Open quarterfinals by demolishing Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-4 in the round of 16 contest. As a result of reaching the last eight stage at US Open 2024, the Belarusian World No. #2 wrote a little piece of history, becoming the first women to reach four consecutive quarterfinals at the US Open since Serena Williams did it in 2016.

Overall, Sabalenka has won 25 matches at the US Open so far in her career and will fancy her chances of winning her maiden Grand Slam at the Flushing Meadows with the defending champion, Coco Gauff, eliminated.

Sabalenka had earlier been out of action for months due to a gruesome shoulder injury resulting in her missing the Wimbledon Championship and the Paris Olympics. She finally resumed tennis at the international arena by taking part at the Canadian Open where she was defeated by Amanda Anisimova in the quarterfinals.

Consistency not seen since Serena! pic.twitter.com/rYkjmQXQGx

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 2, 2024

However, she made amends and announced her recovery in style by triumphing in Cincinnati, beating world number one Iga Swiatek en route the title. Despite the timing of her matches, including a late-night finish in her third round against Ekaterina Alexandrova, Sabalenka is relishing her time in New York. She will hope to go one step better than last year when she finished runner-up to Coco Gauff.

Also Read: Aryna Sabalenka’s projected path to US Open 2024 final

She started the year in fine fettle, winning the season’s Major at the Australian Open but struggled with injuries and poor form that saw her only reach the quarterfinals at Roland Garros and runner-up at the Madrid Open and Italian Open.

The 26-year-old also had to withdraw from the Wimbledon Championships and Paris Olympics due to shoulder injury. Since then, she has somewhat returned to the form that won her the Australian Open title in January. Since her return to action post Paris Olympics, Sabalenka has reached the quarters at the Canadian Open and lifted the Cincinnati title. She will hope the form and title run extends to flushing Meadows.

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