Aryna Sabalenka maintained her magical, record-breaking tiebreak record yesterday, as she beat Leylah Fernandez in straight sets to reach the US Open third round.
It was an inspired, comfortable performance from the Belarusian, who continued her title defence immaculately.
There was an extra incentive for the 27-year-old to win this one too, given the last time they met saw the Canadian claim a shock victory in the 2021 US Open semi-finals.
Having now levelled their head-to-head record and extended her tiebreak record too, Aryna Sabalenka was justifiably in high spirits in the aftermath.
Aryna Sabalenka reacts to extending her record-breaking tiebreak record
Speaking to the media after her win over Fernandez, one reporter first questioned whether she thinks other players are aware of her tiebreak record.
After all, this marked her 18th straight tiebreak success; the greatest run in Open Era history.
Sabalenka replied: “I hope so. I’m not focusing on that during the match obviously, but extra pressure on my opponents. I love that.”
Then asked if she feels her level increase when the pressure rises, she continued: “I think, you know, sometimes during the set, I’m doubting my decisions, and when I get to the tiebreak, I know that there is no time for doubts, and I just have to go for my shots, and I have to trust my game, because I’m just reminding myself that I have to trust.
“I have a pretty good feeling, I know what to do in court, and I’m trying to be, I’m trying to stick to the plan of the game, and I’m trying to stay aggressive and put as much pressure as I can on my opponent.”
How Aryna Sabalenka reacted to beating Leylah Fernandez at the US Open
Touching on that previous match against Fernandez, Sabalenka admitted in her on-court interview that she had not forgotten.
She started by stating: “I wanted this revenge badly.”
The three-time Grand Slam champion then continued: “I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. I wanted to prove to myself that the lesson was learned… And all of those lessons are making me tougher, tougher and tougher.”
She remains the heavy favourite to reclaim the US Open title, as the undisputed best hard-court player on the WTA.
However, before the tournament, Sabalenka pinpointed the difference between the fans at the US Open and Australian Open, two tournaments where she has earned huge success.
