Aryna Sabalenka reigned supreme in New York as she got her hands on a first US Open title at Flushing Meadows.
The Belarussian star defeated home favourite Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 in an entertaining final and it saw Sabalenka win a second Grand Slam of 2024.
The win saw Sabalenka move up the world rankings to sit in second place behind Iga Swiatek on the official list.
Sabalenka is a powerhouse on the court and she richly deserves to be the queen of New York after losing just one set on her way to the prize.
At 26-years-old this has proved to be her breakthrough year on the tour and there will surely be many more Grand Slam crowns for her mantlepiece in the future.
John McEnroe highlights one big difference between Aryna Sabalenka and Serena Williams
Given how powerful, Sabalenka is on the court, natural comparisons have come into play between her and Serena Williams.
In terms of Grand Slam prizes won, Sabalenka has some way to go to catch the legendary Williams sister and McEnroe has suggested as much.
He’s also picked out one big difference between the two players following Sabalenka’s run to glory at Flushing Meadows.
He told TalkSPORT: “Those are two of the biggest hitters that ever played in the women’s game.
“I think Sabalenka has really improved her movement, but I don’t think, both at their best, that she is as athletic as Serena. But she is getting closer.
“I have a lot of respect for her because she has really maximised what she can do on the court and that’s why she is finally winning majors and contending in almost every event she is in.”
Sabalenka can dominate tennis the same way Williams did
With a huge serve and ferocious groundstrokes, Williams claimed 23 Grand Slam titles in her career and Sabalenka will have to go some to get that many.
The women’s tour is as competitive as ever and perhaps she won’t claim that many during her career.
However, there is a sense that if one player is going to dominate on the women’s circuit in the future then Sabalenka is the player to do it.
Had she not been forced out of Wimbledon with a shoulder problem she may well have won three of the four majors this year and next year could be a big year for her.
Sabalenka is a very likeable player on the tour and it’s intriguing to hear McEnroe cite the differences between her and Serena after her latest success.
The star has already qualified for the Tour Finals at the end of the year and now the challenge is to finish 2024 with a flourish.
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