5 Key Milestones Aryna Sabalenka Achieved by Reaching the US Open 2024 Final

World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka secured her second consecutive US Open final by defeating Emma Navarro 6-2, 7-6 (2). Last year, Sabalenka was defeated by Coco Gauff in a thrilling three-set match in the final.

In her match against Navarro, Aryna Sabalenka dominated the first set, despite some resistance. She nearly sealed the second set, leading 4-2 and 40-15 on Navarro’s serve. However, Navarro fought back, preventing Sabalenka from closing out the match. Navarro then gained an early lead in the tie-break, going 2-0 up. But Sabalenka, showing her strong connection with New York, responded by winning seven consecutive points to claim the match.

With one more win standing between her and her first US Open title, here are the milestones Aryna Sabalenka has achieved by reaching the final:

1. Aryna Sabalenka Matches Serena Williams with Consecutive US Open Finals

Aryna Sabalenka has joined the ranks of Serena Williams by making back-to-back finals at the US Open. Williams achieved this in 2018 and 2019, but unfortunately lost both finals—first to Naomi Osaka and then to Bianca Andreescu. Sabalenka, having already lost in last year’s final, will be determined to avoid a repeat in her pursuit of victory in New York.

2. Fifth Player to Reach Australian Open and US Open Finals Since Hardcourt Switch

Since the Australian Open transitioned from grass to hardcourts in 1988, only five women have reached the finals of both hardcourt Grand Slams in consecutive years. Aryna Sabalenka joins an elite group of players, including Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, Martina Hingis, and Victoria Azarenka, who accomplished this feat.

Graf was the first to achieve this, making three consecutive finals from 1988 to 1990. Seles followed, doing it in 1991 and 1992. Hingis reached the finals of both events from 1997 to 1999, while Sabalenka’s compatriot Azarenka achieved this in 2012 and 2013.

3. Sabalenka Nears Azarenka’s Record for Hardcourt Grand Slam Finals

Aryna Sabalenka is quickly approaching Victoria Azarenka’s record for the most Grand Slam finals on hardcourts among active players. Azarenka has reached five hardcourt finals, winning the Australian Open twice and finishing runner-up in the US Open twice to Serena Williams.

Aryna Sabalenka, with four hardcourt Grand Slam finals now under her belt, is just one away from tying Azarenka’s record. Azarenka’s last Grand Slam final appearance was in the 2020 US Open, where she lost to Naomi Osaka.

4. 28 Consecutive Hardcourt Major Wins Against Lower-Ranked Players

A key factor behind Sabalenka’s success in hardcourt tournaments like the Australian Open and US Open has been her dominance over players ranked outside the top 10. Her victory over Navarro marked her 28th consecutive win in hardcourt Grand Slams against lower-ranked opponents.

Since the 2023 Australian Open, Aryna Sabalenka has amassed a 26-1 record at Hardcourt Majors. Her sole loss was to Coco Gauff, and 23 of her 26 victories came in straight sets. Aryna Sabalenka’s unbeaten streak is the longest since Azarenka’s 29-match run, which spanned from the 2012 Australian Open to the same tournament two years later.

5. Sabalenka’s Most Successful Summer Hardcourt Season Yet

For the first time, Sabalenka has reached two finals during the summer North American hardcourt season. Previously, her best performance had been reaching a single final in 2018, 2019, and 2023.

This year, Aryna Sabalenka broke that trend by winning the Cincinnati Open and continuing her winning streak to reach the US Open final. She is currently on an 11-match winning run. Regardless of the final’s outcome, this summer has been Sabalenka’s most successful hardcourt campaign. Before her Cincinnati triumph, she reached the semifinals of the Citi Open and the quarterfinals of the Canadian Open.

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