Aryna Sabalenka teased the New York crowd again

You can rely on Aryna Sabalenka to win crowds and matches. The World No. 2 teased the crowded Arthur Ashe Stadium by stating their chants arrived “a bit too late,” one day after promising “drinks” to the New York fans if they support her in the US Open 2024 semi-final against local favorite Emma Navarro.

Again, Arya Sabalenka teases the New York audience. Says, ‘Are you cheering me on now? “It’s too late” after the US Open semifinal

On Friday, Sabalenka defeated Navarro 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) to reach her second straight US Open final. With the exception of the renowned Serena Williams in 2019, she is the first to accomplish so.

“Hey guys, look at you, supporting me now. Whoa. When asked how she felt about going into the final, Sabalenka said, “It’s a little too late.

“It means a lot, and even though you guys were cheering her on, I still got goosebumps from your support.” The atmosphere was amazing.”

In the final on Saturday, Sabalenka will compete against either Jessica Pegula of the United States or Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic. “It was a good test of the crowd supporting my opponent today, so even if it turns out to be Pegula, I don’t really care who I play in the final,” she said. I’m prepared to take on anybody.”

Although Navarro lost the second set 3-5, she battled back to clinch the match in a tiebreak, marking her first major semifinal appearance.

In the tie, Sabalenka put down 34 wins to the 23-year-old American’s 13.
The Belarusian, who lives in Florida and finished second to US player Coco Gauff in New York last year, used her sheer strength to win the first set and negate Navarro’s deft usage of the angles.

Despite the American canceling out an early break, the 26-year-old took the lead once again in the sixth game and went on to win 16 games in total, which is twice as many as Navarro, to secure the first match.

In the second set, Sabalenka broke to take a 3-2 lead. Navarro had to save more break opportunities to prevent falling down 2-5.

This gave her challenge fresh energy, and when her opponent served to tie the match, she broke Sabalenka, bringing the score to 5-5.
In the tiebreak, she even had a little break before Sabalenka came storming back to win.