Aryna Sabalenka ‘desperate’ to dethrone Iga Swiatek as the World No. 1 claims John McEnroe as US Open showdown approaches 

Aryna Sabalenka might meet Iga Swiatek in the finals and then a chance to settle the scores.

Aryna Sabalenka ‘desperate’ to dethrone Iga Swiatek as the World No. 1 claims John McEnroe as US Open showdown approaches 

Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek (Image via WTA)

Former American tennis player John McEnroe feels Belarusian tennis ace Aryna Sabalenka would be desperate to dethrone Iga Swiatek and reach the top of the WTA rankings. With Sabalenka closing in on Swiatek, McEnroe feels the World No.2 must be thinking about reaching the top of the rankings. 

Aryna Sabalenka defeated Clara Burel in straight sets (6-1, 6-1) in her third-round match and has booked herself a place in the pre-quarterfinals. The Belarusian stands a chance to meet Swiatek into the finals and winning the US Open title will surely propel her to the top of the WTA rankings. 

YouTube video

Although Sabalenka has not said anything in this regard, McEnroe feels she might be having those thoughts on the back of her head. The former tennis ace said that it would be an amazing achievement for Sabalenka and she would definitely not want to miss out on it. “I think she can’t help but think about it because people bring it up,” said McEnroe to Eurosport.

FS Video

“I think she was a match away at Roland Garros, if she had won that semi-final match that could have put her temporarily at No. 1. Her and Iga [Swiatek] have been going back and forth for quite a while in terms of the rankings. She’s desperate to try and get over the hump and finally, at least call herself at some point the No. 1-ranked player in the world. It would be absolutely amazing.”

Also Read: Simona Halep receives support from John Millman who comes out criticizing the players and WTA for not defending her

Can Aryna Sabalenka close the year like she started it?

Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka (Image via US Open)

While Aryna Sabalenka will surely have the WTA rankings on her mind, a title win in New York would definitely matter more for the Belarusian. Sabalenka has been in phenomenal touch this year, reaching the fourth round of all four Grand Slams so far. This is the first time the Belarusian has achieved this feat.

Sabalenka started her year with a title win in Australia. She then made it to the semifinals of the French Open and the Wimbledon. Now, the 25-year-old is in the final 16 at the 2023 US Open. She has defeated all of her opponents in straight sets so far. She will now face Russian Daria Kasatkina in the fourth round.

If Sabalenka defeats Kasatkina, she might meet one of Ons Jabeur and Qinwen Zheng in the quarterfinals. If all goes well, the Belarusian might end up against Iga Swiatek in the finals and then it will be really interesting to see if Sabalenka manages to clinch the game and end her year like she started, with a title.

In case you missed!