Aryna Sabalenka Admits It’s Tough for Her to ‘Disconnect’ From No.1 Battle at US Open

Aryna Sabalenka has inched closer to a three-peat at the US Open. On Sunday (September 6), she eliminated Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals of the tournament for the sixth time in a row.

Sabalenka is at risk of losing her No.1 ranking. A third title won’t really help her to maintain her spot, as everything depends on Elena Rybakina‘s run. If the Belarusian ace wins the title and the reigning Australian Open champion loses before the semifinals, she will be able to finish the US Open ranked No.1.

Probably they don’t understand how hard it is mentally and physically to keep up the level and mentally stay kind of like disconnected from that, because the moment you start thinking about that, like, you lose it. So probably they don’t understand how tough mentally it is not to focus on that and, like, constantly focusing on improving yourself.

Aryna Sabalenka said at the press conference

There are two more contenders for the No.1 ranking: Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff. They will only reach their career-best ranking if they win the title and Rybakina suffers defeat before the semifinals. Sabalenka said she avoids paying heed to the scenarios and instead keeps her focus only on her matches.

Oh, I completely separate myself from that because it’s just guessing. I’m just focusing on myself, and I’m just trying to bring my best tennis every time I’m competing out there and basically fight for it. But like these scenarios, they always, like, one didn’t work, then there is another one – there’s always, like scenario for something, there’s always, like, different statistics that social media brings, so I’m just completely trying to stay away from it.

Aryna Sabalenka added

Rybakina will face four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka for a spot in the quarterfinal here for the first time in her career. Both Gauff and Pegula have already played finals in their home Slam.

It was Gauff who defeated Sabalenka in the final back in 2023, and it was Pegula whom the four-time Major singles champion beat the following year. Gauff will face Iva Jovic in the fourth round, while Pegula will meet Emma Navarro in the quarterfinals.

Aryna Sabalenka on her quarterfinal opponent Linda Noskova

Aryna Sabalenka will next be locking horns with a player who clinched her career’s first Grand Slam title this year. It’s Linda Noskova, the reigning Wimbledon champion, who ended Marta Kostyuk‘s run in the fourth round.

And if it’s Linda – another great player – just won Wimbledon, really aggressive style of the game, serving really well, playing super fast. You’ve got to stay really low to be able to handle that power and energy. Also, I played a couple of matches against her in the past, which also wasn’t like the easiest matches.

Aryna Sabalenka said at the press conference

Sabalenka holds a 2-0 head-to-head record over Noskova. The Czech ace had never made it past the third round of the US Open before this season. She, in fact, will be playing her career’s third Grand Slam quarterfinal. Apart from Wimbledon, Noskova also clinched the title at the Berlin Open by defeating Jessica Pegula.

Sabalenka, on the other hand, hasn’t yet won a title since completing the Sunshine Double in March. She has reached just one semifinal (lost to Pegula at the Berlin Open) since that win in Miami.

The World No.1, apart from the Sunshine Double, also won the Brisbane International and lost the Australian Open final to Elena Rybakina. The winner of the Sabalenka versus Noskova match will face Pegula or Emma Navarro in the semifinals.

Also read: Coco Gauff Warns of Tennis Parity After Three American Exits at the US Open