Aryna Sabalenka Buys Drinks for New York Crowd to Cheer Her On at US Open Semifinals

Aryna Sabalenka Bribes New York Crowd for Support at US Open Semifinals

World number two, Aryna Sabalenka, dominated Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen in a powerful display of tennis, securing her spot in the US Open semifinals for the fourth consecutive year. Sabalenka, the Australian Open champion and last year's US Open runner-up to Coco Gauff, triumphed over Zheng with a resounding 6-1, 6-2 victory.

<figure> <img src="https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2024/09/04/550x309/TENNIS-USA-OPEN-125_1725414377678_1725414595244.jpg" alt="Belarus's Aryna Sabalenka is interviewed after winning her women's quarterfinals match against China's Zheng Qinwen(AFP)" title="Belarus's Aryna Sabalenka is interviewed after winning her women's quarterfinals match against China's Zheng Qinwen(AFP)"> <figcaption>Belarus's Aryna Sabalenka is interviewed after winning her women's quarterfinals match against China's Zheng Qinwen(AFP)</figcaption> </figure>

Sabalenka will face off against American Emma Navarro, who secured her first-ever Grand Slam semifinal berth with a straight-set win over Paula Badosa. This will be the ninth career Grand Slam semifinal for the 26-year-old Belarusian, and her second match against Navarro this year. The two have split their previous matches, with Navarro winning at Indian Wells and Sabalenka taking the victory at the French Open.

In a humorous attempt to rally the crowd for the semifinal matchup, Sabalenka promised the Arthur Ashe Stadium audience, "The drinks are on me if you cheer for me." She acknowledged the strength of her opponent, stating, "She's a really good player. We had two battles, they were really close."