Set to face American Emma Navarro in front of the U.S. Open's boisterous home fans, Aryna Sabalenka jokingly sought to peel off some of that partisan support by offering them a round of drinks if they cheered for her in Thursday's (Sep 5) semi-final. Sabalenka has had an up-and-down relationship with the Flushing Meadows crowds over the years, calling them out for a lack of support during last year's final against home favourite Coco Gauff before shedding tears at the trophy ceremony.
Aryna Sabalenka sent an ominous message to her rivals as she demolished Zheng Qinwen to set up a U.S. Open semi-final against Emma Navarro. World number two Sabalenka claimed a statement 6-1 6-2 victory against Olympic champion and seventh seed Zheng. That came after American Navarro recovered from a 5-1 second-set deficit to beat Spain's Paula Badosa 6-2 7-5 in front of a partisan New York crowd.
Belarusian Sabalenka reached the final last year, losing to Coco Gauff, but she looks in superb form to claim another Slam title to go with her two Australian Open triumphs.
She dropped just five games in beating Navarro in the fourth round of the French Open in June, but Navarro won their sole hard-court match at Indian Wells earlier in the year.
Sabalenka jokingly offered to buy the crowd drinks if they supported her during Thursday's (Sep 5) semi-final against Navarro. "OK guys, drinks on me – and please give me some support in the next match," she laughed. "She (Navarro) is a really good player. We had two battles, they were really close."
The opponents in the other women's semifinal will be decided on Wednesday, when No. 1 Iga Swiatek plays No. 6 Jessica Pegula, and No. 22 Beatriz Haddad Maia takes on unseeded Karolina Muchova.
