Aryna Sabalenka’s triumph in Cincinnati has placed her in pole position to win this year’s US Open.
With Coco Gauff floundering, Elena Rybakina not having won since Wimbledon, and Iga Swiatek still reeling from the Olympics, the US Open women’s draw is just about as open as it can get.
Aryna Sabalenka initially looked like she was part of this quartet or stars desperate for form after suffering a heavy defeat in Toronto to Amanda Anisimova.
The Belarusian was out-hit in Canada and having missed the Olympics and enjoyed an extra week on the hard courts, it looked as if it hadn’t paid off.
However a faultless week in Cincinnati followed where Sabalenka dusted herself down and in trademark style, bruised the ball all the way to the title.
Aryna Sabalenka explains her attitude change after defeat in Toronto
The defeat in Toronto understandably rocked Sabalenka as she had it handed it to her in under 90 minutes.
Anisimova had previously beaten Sabalenka before the American’s extended break from the tour in 2023, and seems to pick up where she left off in Canada.
With Sabalenka reeling, she explained to WTA Insider how she sought to change her approach to put her in the best spot for a US Open challenge.
“I think I was really emotional in Washington and Toronto coming back after after injury,” the new world number two revealed.
“I was overreacting, and I just stepped back and realized that I played my great tennis when I was calm and confident, that no matter what’s what’s going on the court, I’ll be able to keep fighting and keep trying my best no matter what the score, what the situation is.
“Even if I lose the match easily, I have to stay calm. I have to practice that. And I have to have this belief that I’ll be able to turn around that match no matter what the situation is.”
With tempers occasionally fraying on court for the Belarusian, she is hoping to go one better this year in New York after settling for second last time out.
She continued: “And I just realized that I have to be that way. There is no, no other way for me if I want to, if I want to do well here and New York.”
Aryna Sabalenka is unstoppable when she reaches her best level
If Sabalenka is in the zone, there’s often simply just too much power, too much grit, too much energy.
A taller player on the tour, her huge forehand picks her up a lot of free points and in Cincinnati, her return of serve was truly world class.
Against Swiatek in the semi-final, the Belarusian won 80% of the points on the Pole’s second serve, with 24/30.
After losing last year’s final from a set up, Sabalenka will be returning with a vengeance and with a lack of form from all those around her, she will take some stopping.
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