Hilarious scenes at US Open as Aryna Sabalenka flexes her muscles after learning she leads the tour in winners amassed at Grand Slams this season
Aryna Sabalenka jokingly flexed her muscles after learning that she leads the list of winners amassed at Grand Slams this season, much to the delight of the cheering crowd on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Sabalenka kicked off her campaign at Flushing Meadows on Tuesday, with a straight-sets win over Maryna Zanevska. On Thursday, the Belarusian continued her dominance by defeating Jodie Burrage 6-3, 6-2 in 74 minutes to advance to the third round.
Sabalenka put on a clinical display during her win over Burrage, converting three of her four break point opportunities and recording 28 winners to 22 unforced errors.
Aryna Sabalenka has also solidified her postion as the tour leader in winners amassed at Majors so far, with 624 to her name already. Upon learning of the statistic, the 25-year-old playfully showed off her muscles.
She was then asked how she had managed the feat, in response to which Sabalenka first credited her fitness coach. She jokingly added, however, that weight lifting had also played a role.
"We have to ask my fitness coach. Too much weight lifting maybe?" she quipped during her on-court interview.
"I'm super happy with my level" - Aryna Sabalenka after advancing to US Open 3R
Following her straight sets win over Jodie Burrage, Aryna Sabalenka expressed satisfaction with the level of play she displayed during the match. She particularly highlighted her "focus" over the course of the encounter.
"I didn't lose my focus today, not for a minute. I'm super happy with my level today," she said.
The Belarusian also opened up about her dream to achieve the World No. 1 ranking, currently held by Iga Swiatek. In order to claim the top spot, Sabalenka must match or surpass defending champion Swiatek's result at Flushing Meadows this fortnight.
"It’s just a chance, first of all. It would mean a lot to me. It’s one of the goals and one of the dreams. I’ll do my best to reach this dream," she said.
Aryna Sabalenka will lock horns with Clara Burel in the third round of the US Open on Saturday, September 2. Burel upset 25th seed Karolina Pliskova 6-4, 6-2 to book her spot in the Round of 32.
Sabalenka leads 1-0 in her head-to-head record against Burel, having won their sole previous encounter, at last year's US Open, 6-0, 6-2.