Aryna Sabalenka gets compared to Serena Williams for stepping up when needed after her US Open win

Aryna Sabalenka clinched her maiden title at the US Open on Saturday as she defeated American ace Jessica Pegula in the final in New York. The 26-year-old did not let her mistakes from the past cloud her judgment as she won the match in straight sets. Despite losing a 3-0 lead and trailing 3-5 in the second set, Sabalenka found a way to come back and win the championship after just four more games.

This trait of the Belarusian to not give up and find a way to fight back despite the odds against her was lauded by Andy Roddick and Kim Clijsters. Sabalenka was also compared to legendary Serena Williams for stepping up when needed.

Reviewing the US Open on the Served with Andy Roddick, Clijsters and Roddick hailed Sabalenka for not losing her focus, despite missing a few shots back-to-back. The 2003 US Open champion Roddick openly admitted that he lacked that aspect in his game and claimed it was “crazy” on Sabalenka’s part to do it.

To keep shooting your shot even after missing 17 balls in the last 12 minutes is a skill that I didn’t have. If I’m missing, I’m losing confidence. How you commit to going back there, deleting all the stress, and going and shooting again is crazy.

Andy Roddick said about Aryna Sabalenka on Served with Andy Roddick.

Clijsters agreed with Roddick and drew a parallel between the Belarusian and Williams.

Just like Serena, she has the ability to step up when needed.

Kim Clijsters said about Aryna Sabalenka.

Sabalenka also did not let the crowd get to her head as it happened during the 2023 US Open final against Coco Gauff.

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Andy Roddick hails Aryna Sabalenka for following a different process to greatness

Andy Roddick continued to heap praise on Aryna Sabalenka for her temperament and following a different process for greatness. The American tennis icon stronly felt legends like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Serena Williams had their unique ways and Sabalenka has a different one.

Look at Roger, Rafa, Novak, Serena. You could not have four more different personalities. With Sabalenka, I appreciate the different process. And hers looks fun. And she dives in afterwards and has a smile. It’s like she’s down for a joke but also committed to improvement, it seems like she has a great balance…I wish I had a little more Sabalenka.

Andy Roddick praised Aryna Sabalenka

Sabalenka came agonizingly close to winning the US Open title last year when she reached the final and won the opening set against Coco Gauff. However, the Belarusian lost the plot from the second set onwards and saw her conceding the game to her opponent.

But this time, the World No.2 was determined to win the beautiful trophy and she did it by dropping just one set, against Ekaterina Alexandrova in the second round. She now has three singles Grand Slam titles to her name.

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