Aryna Sabalenka Thanks Carlos Alcaraz for Finishing His US Open Match Quickly After Avoiding Late Start

First seed Aryna Sabalenka has scheduled a third-round match at the US Open against Leylah Fernandez.

Aryna Sabalenka Thanks Carlos Alcaraz for Finishing His US Open Match Quickly After Avoiding Late Start

Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K, Tennis Channel)

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Aryna Sabalenka is not a fan of late-night starts. In the ongoing US Open, the Belarusian ace avoided playing her second-round match against Polina Kudermetova at midnight, all thanks to Carlos Alcaraz.

The Spaniard, after overcoming Reilly Opelka in the first round, faced Mattia Bellucci. The Italian ace was no match for the five-time Grand Slam champion, losing with a 6-1, 6-0, 6-3 scoreline. Because he quickly finished his match, Sabalenka got the chance to start her match early. She said at the press conference:

Oh, thank you, Carlos. Thank you so much for finishing that match in three sets and making it quick and not too much of a wait for me, because I hate playing the second set after 7:00 after guys. It’s the worst. Especially when you play in the later stages of the tournament when the matches get tighter, and there’s, like, five sets, and you are, like, it’s 12:00, and you’re still waiting.

Alcaraz has scheduled his third-round match against another Italian-Luciano Darderi. He is bidding to win his seventh title of the season, while Sabalenka has clinched three trophies. The World No.1 has played the finals of both the Australian Open and the French Open this season, losing both to Madison Keys and Coco Gauff, respectively.

Both Sabalenka and Alcaraz are bidding to win their career’s second US Open title. Alcaraz claimed his in 2022 by beating Casper Ruud (also his first win in a Major). Sabalenka, who lost to Gauff in the 2023 US Open final, defeated Jessica Pegula in the final the following year. Alcaraz fell in the second round of last year’s US Open.

If Alcaraz wins, he will dethrone Jannik Sinner and reclaim his No.1 spot. Women’s World No.2 Iga Swiatek won’t be able to remove Sabalenka from the top by clinching her second Grand Slam title of the season in New York.

Aryna Sabalenka on the Taylor Townsend-Jelena Ostapenko argument

Taylor Townsend knocked out Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets, but the match was overshadowed by their heated altercation during the customary handshake. As she was upset because Townsend didn’t apologize after winning a point off the net cord, she started to argue with the home favorite, telling her she has “no class, no education“.

Jelena Ostapenko, Taylor Townsend
Jelena Ostapenko, Taylor Townsend (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

Ostapenko was heavily booed when she was walking off the court. She later took to Instagram story to explain her conduct, saying how she felt disrespected because Townsend didn’t apologize. Many called her a racist for her “no class, no education” jibe, but the Latvian ace defended herself by writing on Instagram that she respects people from all countries. Aryna Sabalenka has now given her verdict on the whole thing at the press conference.

She (Ostapenko) is nice, but sometimes she can lose control. She has some things in life to face and some struggles. I was just trying to help her. I don’t know, not to face it in a more mature way, but try and help her settle down and be someone she could speak to, and just let it go.

While the 2017 French Open champion will continue her hunt for her second Grand Slam title at the Australian Open next year, Townsend will be clashing with two-time WTA 1000 champion Mirra Andreeva in the third round. Townsend, the doubles No.1 and a two-time Grand Slam doubles champion, has never progressed beyond the fourth round of a singles Major. Her best performance in a Major came at the 2019 US Open.

Townsend could schedule a clash with the three-time Grand Slam singles champion if they both reach the final. She has not reached a final since this year’s French Open.

Also read: Jannik Sinner Looks Back on ‘The’ Match that Revolutionized his Rivalry With Carlos Alcaraz