Aryna Sabalenka recalled the moment she spotted Roger Federer on the big screen, watching her match against Qinwen Zheng of China in the quarterfinals at the 2024 US Open. Sabalenka kept her best foot forward to impress the 20-time Grand Slam title winner and defeated her opponent in straight sets.
Aryna Sabalenka, the 2023 US Open finalist, is looking to make it to the winner’s podium this year. Sporting a strong form, the Belarusian ousted Priscilla Hon in the first round, Lucia Bronzetti in the second, Ekaterina Alexandrova in the third and Elise Mertens in the fourth to advance to the quarterfinals against the reigning Olympic gold medalist, Qinwen Zheng.
Qinwen Zheng.Mid-way through the match, her eyes caught the legendary Roger Federer seated in the stands, watching her play. She was determined to show her ‘slice skills’ since it’s not every day that the five-time US Open titlist is in attendance.
Aryna Sabalenka on Roger Federer watching her US Open match against Qinwen Zheng
“It's not every day that Roger Federer is in the stands when you're playing in a slam. Did you know that he was up in the stands? For a second did your mind wander to that?”
Aryna: “Yeah, I saw, I… pic.twitter.com/IaS5aXunVE
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 4, 2024
The former World No. 1 in singles and doubles defeated Zheng in straight sets 6-1, 6-2. Aryna Sabalenka will clash against her US counterpart Emma Navarro in the semi-final match-up, slated for September 6,
2024.Federer last played at the 2019 US Open and concluded his storied career at the 2022 Laver Cup. The Swiss made an 89-14 record at the US Open, having won consecutive titles from 2004 to 2008. He also made it to the 2009 and 2015 finals in Flushing Meadows.
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