Aryna Sabalenka can’t believe Serena Williams’ parallel in deja vu moment at US Open during Leylah Fernandez win

Aryna Sabalenka moved a step closer to defending her US Open title with a 6-3, 7-6(2) win over 2021 runner-up Leylah Fernandez in the third round on Saturday (August 30). During the contest, Sabalenka’s incredible cross-court forehand winner, which was followed by a tumble, evoked memories of a strikingly similar shot by Serena Williams from the 2015 US Open.

Ad

Images of both clips, posted alongside each other on social media, made for a stunning spectacle with Sabalenka and Williams covering ground, unleashing powerful, unplayable winners, and falling in the same fashion due to the impact.

Aryna Sabalenka is aiming for her first Grand Slam win of the season in New York after having been a losing finalist at the Australian Open and the French Open.

Ad

Trending

At the 2015 US Open, Serena Williams had come up with a shot that was conspicuously alike the one Sabalenka produced in the ongoing tournament. Williams, who was up against compatriot Bethanie Mattek-Sands, lost the opening set but rallied to win the third-round encounter 3-6, 7-5, 6-0.

Serena Williams, who had won the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon that year, failed to register a calendar slam after losing the US Open semifinals against Roberta Vinci.

"I wanted this revenge badly", - Aryna Sabalenka after defeating Leylah Fernandez at US Open

Aryna Sabalenka described her US Open third-round opponent as a "great player" and a "great competitor" after the match, but did admit that she wanted her revenge badly. Recalling their previous encounter, the 27-year-old called it a "great battle."

Sabalenka first faced Leylah Fernandez in the semifinal of the 2021 US Open, with the Canadian prevailing in three sets.

“It was definitely an exciting match. Last time we met, it was a great battle. She played an incredible match, and I wanted this revenge badly, so I’m super happy with the win. She’s a great player, a great competitor and always brings you the fight on court,” Sabalenka said after the win.

Sabalenka also disclosed what her mindset would be going into the second week of the competition at Flushing Meadows as the top seed.

“The mindset is to go out there every time, bring the best fighting spirit and just fight for my dream,” the 2024 US Open champion declared.

Aryna Sabalenka will take on Moldovan-born Spaniard Cristina Bucsa in the Round of 16.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback

About the author

Subhashish Majumdar

Subhashish has been an Indian sports journalist at Sportskeeda since 2017. He primarily covers hockey along with other Indian Sports, and endeavors to bridge the coverage gap between the multitude of Indian sports and cricket via his articles. Subhashish’s interest in Indian sports peaked after watching a few hockey and football matches live during his childhood days, and has also played Hockey, Football, Table Tennis, Badminton at school and college level.

As a journalist, he covered every single Indian hockey match at the 2018 & 2022 Commonwealth Games, 2018 & 2023 Asian Games, 2018 Women's World Cup, 2018 & 2023 Men’s World Cup and the 2021 Olympics. An interview specialist, he has conducted over 100 interviews with the Indian Men's and Women's Hockey team, and has also been part of the UK-based DesiSportsCast Podcast.

Subhashish’s favorite Indian athlete is Vandana Katariya for her relentlessness and never-say-die attitude. For him, India men's hockey team's 7-1 win over Pakistan in 2017 Hockey World League semis on the same day as India men's cricket team's loss to the same opponent in the Champions Trophy final is an iconic moment in Indian Sports history.

When not writing, he likes to spend his free time blogging, singing, jogging, and trekking.

Know More