Aryna Sabalenka confirms if she will still play US Open mixed doubles now Grigor Dimitrov is injured

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Aryna Sabalenka has been asked about her US Open mixed doubles participation now that her partner has pulled out.

Sabalenka will be one of the US Open favourites this year as the defending champion and the world number one.

However, she was also supposed to play in the revamped mixed doubles event alongside Grigor Dimitrov, who has since withdrawn due to injury.

There had been some suggestions of ATP players who Sabalenka should have as a new partner, and she has now confirmed where she stands on the event.

Aryna Sabalenka does not think she will play US Open mixed doubles despite requests

After beating Jessica Bouzas Maneiro to continue her title defence at the Cincinnati Open, Sabalenka was asked about the mixed doubles event.

Sabalenka has now suggested that playing mixed doubles at the US Open this year is no longer on her radar, as she would rather stay loyal to her original partnership with Dimitrov.

When speaking to press, Sabalenka did reveal that she has received requests from other players, but will likely be turning them down.

The Belarusian said, “Well there is a few guys who are asking, but, no, I don’t think so.”

With Sabalenka one of the players expected to go deep at the Cincinnati Open, this could be just the start of a problem for the US Open mixed doubles event.

Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina Head-to-head

As she looks to turn her attention back to the Cincinnati Open singles tournament, Sabalenka will now face a challenging quarterfinal test in former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.

Sabalenka and Rybakina are very familiar with one another, as they have played 11 times before, including a Grand Slam final at the 2023 Australian Open.

Although it is Sabalenka who leads the head-to-head, they have equally split their eight previous meetings on hard courts.

Sabalenka beat Rybakina the last time they played at the Berlin Tennis Open on grass, but she had to save four match points to do so.

Their quarterfinal match at the Cincinnati Open will take place on Friday, August 15.