Sabalenka defeats Navarro to reach US Open final again

Aryna Sabalenka has advanced to the final of the US Open after defeating Emma Navarro in the semi-finals with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (2). This victory marks Sabalenka's second consecutive appearance in the US Open final, having been the runner-up to Coco Gauff the previous year. The match showcased Sabalenka's powerful baseline game, as she delivered 34 winners and eight aces, demonstrating her dominance on hard courts. Navarro, the 13th seed and a home favorite, had a breakthrough tournament, notably defeating defending champion Gauff in the quarter-finals. Despite her loss, Navarro is set to break into the world’s top 10 rankings, a significant achievement in her career. The semi-final match was intense, with Navarro managing to break back at 2-2 in the first set, but Sabalenka quickly regained control. In the second set, Sabalenka served for the match at 5-4, but a lapse in concentration allowed Navarro to force a tiebreak. However, Sabalenka's experience shone through as she regained her composure to win the tiebreak decisively. This performance solidifies her status as a strong contender for the title. Looking ahead, Sabalenka will face Jessica Pegula in the final, another American player. With her powerful play and recent form, she is considered the favorite to claim her first US Open title, aiming to improve upon her previous year's performance.