Aryna Sabalenka rallies to triumph over Alexandrova, moving forward to the fourth round of the US Open. Read about the exciting match details and highlights.
Introduction:
This year’s US Open has seen its fair share of thrilling encounters, and Aryna Sabalenka’s third-round match with Ekaterina Alexandrova became no exception. In a contest pushing both players to their limits in stamina and mental toughness, Sabalenka performed an astonishing recovery against an unsuccessful start into the match, winning 2-6, 6-1, 6-2. Their feisty encounter, which began well at 12:08 a.m., has become. And it set a record for the latest match start in US Open history, putting the seal on a resilient and dogged performance from the Belarusian star.
See also: Alexander Zverev Triumphs in Four-Set Battle, Secures Round 4 Spot at US Open
The Rocky Start: Sabalenka’s Set One Struggles
In fact, for the No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka, it was a very bleak start. The late-night session that had drifted well into the early hours of Saturday morning saw an off-beat Sabalenka. Alexandrova went into confident, precise playing, taking advantage of such a fact. Further, the consistent baseline of the Russian and the uncharacteristic errors by Sabalenka allowed Alexandrova to dominate the first set.
Sabalenka had a spotty day, considering the forehand was a weapon that seemed to pay off times over. In the first set alone, she clocked 14 unforced errors, double than what Alexandrova committed. This erratic performance handed Alexandrova a significant advantage. At 3-2, Alexandrova saved a crucial breakpoint with an ace to further boost her momentum. She rode this wave to clinch the first set 6-2, marking the first time she had taken a set off Sabalenka since 2022.
Second Set: Turning of the Tide-Sabalanka’s Revival
Coming from a set down, Sabalenka had her work cut out for her as she pursued the tide of the match. The second set, though, proved to be a very different story altogether for her. Sabalenka was able to iron out most of the inconsistencies in her first set as she concentrated on eliminating unforced errors and getting back into her aggressive baseline game.
The early stages were a share of games from both players in the set, but it was Sabalenka who managed to capitalize on first blood. She broke Alexandrova’s serve to lead 2-1, which seemed to be the turning point that changed the momentum in her favor. The serves started finding their mark to complement her powerful groundstrokes that kept Alexandrova on the back foot. Two break points down, with two aces, Sabalenka breezed her way through the second set 6-1 and evened the match.
Aryna Sabalenka Rallies to dominates Third set
Now that it was all square, Sabalenka went into the third set with a fresh confidence. The early break of Alexandrova’s serve was enough to send her racing to 5-0, as powerful serves and aggressive returns from Sabalenka merely left Alexandrova trying to find her feet. Alexandrova did manage to break Sabalenka’s serve once to get on the scoreboard, but it was a very short respite in what otherwise was a one-sided set.
That wide serve proved to be a weapon that made the difference, as Alexandrova was thrown off and never found the serious chance for a comeback. Sabalenka completed, 6-2, in the third and put herself in the round of sixteen. This was an excellent comeback win that showed just how mentally strong she was to make those adjustments in the game.
Ponderings Of the Match: Sabalenka’s post-match musings
The relieved Sabalenka reflected afterwards on how she turned the match around after her hard-fought victory. “I was just trying to stay as low as possible,” she said, referring to the difficulty of playing an opponent at such a high level. “I was just trying to put as many balls as I can back on that side, because she played incredible tennis in the first set, and it was really tough to change it. I’m really happy that I was able to turn around this match and to get this really difficult win.”
Sabalenka’s words belied the physicality of this encounter and the character required to rise atop such a high-quality opponent in conditions as quirky as the players faced. That ability to reset, following the dire opening, was key to her victory.
Lookahead: what’s next for Sabalenka?
In victory, Aryna Sabalenka reached the US Open fourth round for a fourth successive year. Her next opponent is No. 33 seed Elise Mertens of Belgium, a familiar foe. Sabalenka has taken a commanding 7-2 lead in nine previous meetings against her opponent. This includes a fourth-round victory over Mertens at the 2021 US Open, one that Sabalenka will most likely draw confidence from as she prepares for their upcoming encounter.
Mertens is always consistent, with her strong defensive game, but Sabalenka will be the favorite going into this match given her current state of form and her ability to work out tough matches. If she could hold onto the level of play she showed in the latter part of her match against Alexandrova, Sabalenka indeed has a very good chance of continuing her deep run in the tournament.
Conclusion: A Test of Character and Skill
Actually, Aryna Sabalenka’s third-round win against the 2024 US Open was a character certificate of skill and determination. Down and almost out, she gathered herself to turn in a performance that showed she could be a serious factor in this title race. If anything, the meeting with Alexandrova will also be remembered for its late-night start and craziness in ups and downs, as much as for how Sabalenka rose to the occasion when it mattered most.
The lesson she will have to carry deep into this tournament is that Sabalenka was able to overcome early setbacks and adjust her game to win. Being able to do this will help her in the rounds to come against bigger opponents. If she keeps pulling off using her powerful game and keeps control of her errors, Aryna Sabalenka might well be the one lifting the trophy at the end of the tournament.