Aryna Sabalenka has reached back-to-back US Open finals after her semi-final win over Emma Navarro.
Sabalenka was looking forward to playing Navarro at the 2024 US Open, despite the American having home advantage.
That was the same case in last year’s final, when Sabalenka lost to young American star Coco Gauff in New York.
But the Belarusian has recovered in fine fashion this year, although she faces yet another American in the final in Jessica Pegula.
Sabalenka knows her ability on hard courts, having proven that throughout her fantastic career so far, with plenty more success on the cards.
Aryna Sabalenka makes US Open crowd claim in her match with Emma Navarro
The world number two won back-to-back Australian Open titles in 2023 and 2024, with back-to-back US Open finals now reached.
Ahead of another final in Queens, Sabalenka has looked back on what role the crowd played last time out and indeed in her semi-final win over Navarro this year.
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“Today wasn’t that crazy actually,” Sabalenka said in her US Open semi-final press conference. “They were loud but during the point they were respectful and chill.
“Last year they were just super loud, during the point, and it was that loud it was blocking my ears, so that was so much pressure.
“The mistake was that I was focusing on myself but I didn’t think she is actually on the same court, feeling the same loudness from the crowd and we are all in the same conditions.
“Yes, they are cheering for her, but how can they help her to win that match? Only if I let them get into my head and only if I am going to loose myself and get crazy. Yeah, the trickiest is the loudness and how loud they can be on the stadium.”
How will Aryna Sabalenka deal with the crowd in the US Open final?
It will be deja vu for Sabalenka, who may just have unwanted flashbacks from her 2023 final loss to Gauff.
Arthur Ashe Stadium played host to that battle, where a sixth-seeded Gauff came from behind to beat second-seeded Sabalenka 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.
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But the Belarusian will have learned a lot from that match, which she should be able to use to her advantage this time around.
Arthur Ashe Stadium once again hosts the tie, with Sabalenka once again certain to be the villain against Pegula.
Recent history is, however, on her side, with the world number two having only just beaten Pegula in the Cincinnati Open final.
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