You Must Be a Joke: Aryna Sabalenka unveils her next big unecessary goal which may lead to…
US Open and Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka wants to continue to keep alive her exceptional moment of form, which led her to consecutive triumphs at the Cincinnati Open and at the New York Slam: this week the Belarusian will play at the China Open, where she will try to pursue her next goal: to become WTA No.1 by the end of the season.
After taking a few days off, Aryna – already qualified for the WTA Finals – will be able to continue her pursuit of Iga Swiatek, who will not participate in the Beijing tournament. Sabalenka’s journey will then continue in Shanghai, to try to dethrone the Polish player from the throne of women’s tennis by the end of the year.
“I think I still need some time to process what happened in New York. I will go back when the season is over, now I want to continue not to think about it. I had about four or five days of rest, enough to celebrate, enjoy, recharge and start again. I prepared well for the Asian Tour. I would have liked to rest more, but I couldn’t.
Finishing the year as world No. 1 is one of my goals, but I try not to focus on that, but on my tennis. There are only three tournaments left, I want to play my best on the court. After the season, I will see if it is enough to finish the year as world No. 1 or what I need to do to become world No. 1 in the future. To be called the best player in the world means a lot. It’s nice to know that no time was wasted with all those hours of practice,” she said at the media day of the China Open.
Sabalenka won her third career Major title in New York. After the double title at the Australian Open (2023 and 2024), the Belarusian has now added the New York Slam to her collection.
A few weeks ago, after beating Jessica Pegula in the Flushing Meadows final, she analyzed: “I’m speechless right now, it’s hard to express myself. Tonight I thought on many occasions about how close I was in the past to winning the US Open title, it’s always been a dream of mine and finally I won this beautiful tournament, I finally managed to get my hands on the trophy. It means a lot to me,” she said, before turning to her opponent: “Jess, you’re showing fantastic tennis, it’s hard to digest losing in a final. I know something about it too but I’m sure you’ll play other Slam finals.”
Sabalenka won 7-5 7-5 but in the second set, after going 3-0 with a 4-0 lead, she found herself down 3-5: “In the second set I was a little afraid that the situation could be reversed this time too.”
The reference is to the final she lost last year at the hands of Coco Gauff after Sabalenka had won the first set.
“This title has a special meaning for me, they are tears of joy, not like those of last year. I remember all the defeats of the past, it’s not easy but you have to always believe in your dreams, if you sacrifice everything for a dream one day you will achieve it, you work hard but I’m super proud of myself and my team. I thank my box without you here I wouldn’t exist, I don’t say it often but this is the right time to tell you,” she explained.
And finally, addressing the New York crowd that was obviously cheering for Pegula, she said: “I loved your cheering and your support, I’m sorry for Jessica and I understand it but thank you for the support of these two incredible weeks. It’s a beautiful place New York, I love playing here.”
WTA Beijing Day 3 Predictions Including Jessica Pegula vs Diane Parry
- September 26, 2024
- Damian Kust
Jessica Pegula made her maiden Grand Slam final at the US Open, only losing to Aryna Sabalenka (twice) across her last three events. She’d likey to keep up that momentum and finish the season strong like she did last year. In the WTA 1000 in Beijing, her opening match will come against former junior No. 1 Diane Parry. Who do you think will prevail?
WTA Beijing Day 3 Predictions
Katie Boulter vs Taylor Townsend
Head-to-head: Boulter 2-0
Taylor Townsend has such a unique singles game, but no one can deny her possessing plenty of talent. She’s coming off some great runs in the North American hard court swing and has already dispatched Martina Trevisan in the opening round. Katie Boulter is among the weaker seeds the American could have landed in this stacked draw and while it’s far from a guarantee, she might be able to take advantage. Especially if she’s able to rush her opponent like she usually does.
Prediction: Townsend in 3
Leylah Fernandez vs Peyton Stearns
Head-to-head: 1-1
Peyton Stearns lost that two-setter to Emma Raducanu in Seoul last week, but it was one of the longest and most competitive straight-set matches you’re ever going to see. Playing like that, the American wouldn’t be an easy out for Leylah Fernandez either. And with the Canadian only just beginning her Asian swing journey, the possibility of catching her a bit cold is probably there. They traded their 2023 meetings and this one is projected to be quite tight as well.
Prediction: Stearns in 3
Paula Badosa vs Viktoriya Tomova
Head-to-head: Badosa 1-0
It’s so good to have Paula Badosa back on tour and being fit enough to compete with the best again. The Spaniard not only won Washington in the North American swing, but also ended it with a semifinal run in Cincinnati and a quarterfinal at the US Open. When she’s healthy, she’s playing at a Top 10 level and that’s been the case for a pretty long time now. Unless something has changed regarding her physical status, this is a good matchup for her to get her Beijing campaign on the road.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Jessica Pegula vs Diane Parry
Head-to-head: First meeting
That North American swing was incredible for Jessica Pegula and she feasibly could have raised all three titles if it wasn’t for Aryna Sabalenka being just that tiny bit better. Now the expectations are high for a strong finish to the season. Pegula didn’t do all that well in Beijing last year with an early exit, but that came at the hands of Jelena Ostapenko. Diane Parry can’t quite blow her off the court like that and Pegula should be so confident at the moment.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
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