Aryna Sabalenka believes her experience from Australian Open triumph will help her in the US Open final against ‘home favorite’ Coco Gauff

Aryna Sabalenka qualified for her maiden US Open semifinal as she beat Madison Keys in the semifinal.

Aryna Sabalenka believes her experience from Australian Open triumph will help her in the US Open final against ‘home favorite’ Coco Gauff

Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka (Images via NY Post, X)

Belarusian tennis ace, Aryna Sabalenka who sailed into her maiden US Open semifinal after beating Madison Keys in one of the epic matches, has claimed that she has an edge over American teen Coco Gauff whom she will face in the final. Sabalenka said that she will draw experience from her Australian Open triumph to beat the home favorite Gauff. 

It is worth mentioning that Coco Gauff leads the head-to-head record between the players 3-2. Also, Gauff being the local will definitely work in her favor. However, despite all the odds stacked against her, Aryna Sabalenka backs herself to do the job during the ultimate showdown at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

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While acknowledging the form Gauff is in, Sabalenka heaped praise on the youngster and admitted that she having nothing to lose will make her a difficult opponent. “She’s moving really well. She’s hungry. She kind of has nothing to lose. She knows the crowd is going to support her. I think that’s what makes her a really difficult opponent,” said Sabalenka in the press conference. 

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“The Australian Open final will help me with all those emotions I went through. I’ll be different in this final. I know which emotions to expect & how to handle them,” she added. 

Also Read: “I still have more work to do!” Coco Gauff cites Kobe Bryant’s ‘mamba mentality’ while explaining why she doesn’t want to celebrate her semifinal win at US Open

Aryna Sabalenka expects at least a few fans to support her

Aryna Sabalenka US Open semifinal win
Aryna Sabalenka after winning against Madison Keys (Image via US Open)

Talking about the support from the crowd, Aryna Sabalenka hoped that at least a few fans would cheer for her when she takes on Coco Gauff in the final. The Belarusian then indirectly put in a request to the fans to support her. “I’m still hoping probably some of them will be supporting me. Just a little bit. Just sometimes… please,” said Sabalenka.

While it is to be seen if the crowd obliges to Sabalenka’s request or not, the Belarusian surely has a really tough opponent in Coco Gauff. But the 25-year-old will bank on her form this year to cruise through. Sabalenka has played 60 matches so far in 2023, winning a whopping 50 of them. Also, Sabalenka has raced to a 21-5 win-loss record at the US Open. Overall, her Grand Slams win-loss record tally is 59-21.

All these numbers will play on her mind when she takes on Coco Gauff on Saturday. And it will be interesting to see if Sabalenka is able to lift her maiden US Open title.

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