Aryna Sabalenka has unfinished at the US Open after last year’s agonising defeat to Coco Gauff in a dramatic women’s singles final.
The Belarusian, who reached two previous semi-finals, was in tears as she left the Arthur Ashe court following the 6-2, 3-6, 2-6 defeat but bounced back to beat the American on her way to the Australian Open title in January.
Sabalenka had not won another tournament after her victory in Melbourne until sweeping to success at the Cinncinati Open a fortnight ago when she defeated Iga Swiatek on the way to success against Jessica Pegula.
The 26-year-old didn’t drop a set and is now relishing the chance to win her second grand slam at Flushing Meadows.
It was the 15th WTA title of her career and sets her up to become the tenth first-time winner in the last 11 US Open tournaments.
She hasn’t been handed the easiest draw to the final with Qinwen Zheng, Donna Vekic, Maddison Keys, and Daria Kasatkina also striving to reach a potential showdown with Gauff in the last four but has more than enough to go all the way.
Sabalenka is a bit short at a best price of 11/5 with Bet Victor to go all the way but it’s going to take something really special to stop her.
The men’s singles should see Novak Djokovic reach the final as he is in the opposite half of the draw to both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
He may be reaching the twilight if his illustrious career but his gold medal at the Olympics in Paris will have added even more fire to his belly and he will be eager to retain that winning feeling.
He’s 2/1 with Ladbrokes, Coral and others to defend his title and win an amazing 25th grand slam.
• Put Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Donna Vekic and Elina Svitolina in an acca to all win in straight sets at the US Open.
• West Ham are 23/20 with William Hill to beat Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup second-round fixture at the London Stadium while Coral go 11/4 Nottingham Forest and Newcastle draw at the City Ground.
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