{"id":2001,"date":"2023-09-08T23:07:04","date_gmt":"2023-09-08T23:07:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/sabalenka-fends-off-keys-to-reach-us-open-final-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2023-09-08T23:07:04","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T23:07:04","slug":"sabalenka-fends-off-keys-to-reach-us-open-final-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/sabalenka-fends-off-keys-to-reach-us-open-final-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"Sabalenka fends off Keys to reach US Open final | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\nNEW YORK:
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Aryna Sabalenka fought back from the brink of defeat to overcome American 17th seed Madison Keys in a third-set tie-break and line up a US Open final against home favourite Coco Gauff<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Keys served for the match in the second set but incoming world number one Sabalenka overhauled the 2017 runner-up to win 0-6, 7-6 (7\/1), 7-6 (10\/5) to reach her second Grand Slam final.<\/p>\n

“I’m really proud of myself that I was able to turn around this game and get this win, because it was just incredible,” said Sabalenka<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“I was just, like, ‘Come on, keep trying, keep pushing, like, I don’t know, do something extra. Just try to turn around this match.'”<\/p>\n

“It really means a lot to be in the final of the US Open for the first time,” she added.<\/p>\n

Keys was left devastated by the loss after going agonisingly close to a second Grand Slam final.<\/p>\n

“I think everyone at the start of the tournament would obviously be really, really excited to be in the semis. Right now it sucks,” said Keys.<\/p>\n

“But yeah, I just think being able to, you know, take this and turn it to a positive is really possible. Yeah, there is still a lot to be proud of and still tons of tennis to play this season.”<\/p>\n

Sabalenka rode an emotional rollercoaster, angrily remonstrating with her coaching team at times, before being able to sheepishly laugh off celebrating prematurely in the decisive tie-break.<\/p>\n

“I thought that we play tie-break up till seven. I was just all over the place,” she said.<\/p>\n

“I was thinking that if I’m going to lose this semi-final, I’ll be struggling with sleeping for I don’t know how many days, and I was just, like, I don’t want this to happen. I need some sleep.”<\/p>\n

The Australian Open champion will bid for her second Grand Slam title on Saturday against the 19-year-old Gauff. The American holds a 3-2 edge but this will be their first meeting at a major.<\/p>\n

“She’s an unbelievable player,” said Sabalenka. “The crowd will be supporting her a lot. I will do everything I can. I’ll be fighting for every point and I will do my best.”<\/p>\n

Sabalenka beat Keys in straight sets in the Wimbledon quarter-finals but was pushed to her limit by an opponent who knocked out two top-10 players en route to the last four in New York.<\/p>\n

The second seed handed Keys a break in the first game with a double fault and her troubles were compounded when she again dropped serve after leading 40-0 two games later.<\/p>\n

Keys shook off two break chances before a wayward Sabalenka faltered on serve for a third time, allowing her opponent to wrap up the set with ease.<\/p>\n

Sabalenka raised her arms in mock celebration as she held to finally get on the board to start the second set.<\/p>\n

Keys continued to pump winners with her powerful forehand and broke again for a 2-1 lead, Sabalenka drawing a code violation after smacking a courtside barrier and hurling her racquet towards her coach.<\/p>\n

The Belarusian briefly got back on serve before Keys struck once more, further infuriating an irate Sabalenka who had stormed into the semi-finals without losing a single set.<\/p>\n

Sabalenka broke Keys to love to stay in the tournament, winning 12 points in a row to move 6-5 ahead, but she couldn’t convert two set points as the American steadied herself to force a tie-break.<\/p>\n

However Sabalenka won that easily to send the match to a deciding set, before which Keys took a medical timeout to receive treatment to her upper left leg.<\/p>\n

Keys withstood an early break point and the first five games went on serve before a loose game from Sabalenka handed Keys the initiative at 4-2.<\/p>\n

Sabalenka dug deep and overpowered Keys to retrieve the break straight away, surviving two more break points to level at 4-4.<\/p>\n

The Belarusian took charge in the tie-break, leading from the front before securing a second win over Keys in as many Grand Slams.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n