At the electric US Open atmosphere, Aryna Sabalenka delivered a compelling statement. Facing Leylah Fernandez—who had famously defeated her in the 2021 semifinals—Sabalenka held her ground, winning convincingly in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6(2). It was a cathartic moment, a bold assertion of her growth and resolve.
From the outset, Fernandez applied early pressure. She surged ahead with multiple break-point opportunities. Yet Sabalenka’s composure shone through—she held serve and countered with a decisive break in the fourth game. That edge carried her to a 6-3 first set.
The second set unfolded as a tightly fought battle. Neither player gave ground, keeping both sets on serve deep into a tense tiebreaker. When the tie-break began, Sabalenka turned up the heat—rattling off five straight points to seize command, ultimately sealing the set with a stunning forehand winner.
This victory marked another milestone: Sabalenka remains unbeaten in third-round matches at the US Open—a 6-0 record that fuels her bid for back-to-back titles. Her tactical control and emotional balance, even amid distraction, reflected her maturity and aspirations.
In a memorable twist, a surprise marriage proposal from the crowd lightened the tension. Sabalenka embraced the moment with grace and humor, joking that it added a sweet distraction—but she stayed fiercely focused.
With that win, Sabalenka advances to the fourth round of the US Open for the fifth year running. It’s more than a match; it’s vindication, dominance, and proof that she’s firmly in contention for the grand prize once again.
