Aryna Sabalenka celebrated her dethroning of Iga Swiatek as the world No 1 with a comprehensive 6-1 6-3 victory over 13th seed Daria Kasatkina in the U.S. Open fourth round on Monday (Sep 4) night. Swiatek's defeat on Sunday means Sabalenka will top the rankings for the first time once this tournament is over, although the Australian Open champion's main ambition this fortnight will be to leave with the trophy on Saturday. Sabalenka has made the semi-finals of the past two editions in New York, and will face Ons Jabeur's conqueror Zheng Qinwen next in her bid to make the last four again. On top of winning the Australian Open this year, the Belarusian also reached the last four of the French Open and Wimbledon.
Third seed Jessica Pegula and Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur suffered frustrating defeats in the fourth round at the U.S. Open. American Pegula, who had been one of the favourites for the title, put in an error-strewn performance in a 6-1 6-3 loss to compatriot Madison Keys. Despite her success on the WTA Tour, the 29-year-old has yet to go beyond the quarter-finals at any Grand Slam.
Last year's runner-up Jabeur lost 6-2 6-4 to China's Zheng Qinwen.
Qinwen, 20, reached the first Grand Slam quarter-final of her career and will face Belarusian second seed Aryna Sabalenka next.
Sabalenka, a semi-finalist at Flushing Meadows in 2021 and 2022, won 6-1 6-3 against Russian 13th seed Daria Kasatkina. The Australian Open champion, 25, will be become the new world number one at the end of the tournament following Iga Swiatek's exit in the last 16.
"I had no doubt that Iga was going to make it to the final. I was sad that she lost, but becoming number one means a lot to me," said Sabalenka.
"I've been pushing myself a lot this year to make this goal and I still can't believe it, but I didn't want to be distracted for tonight."
