WATCH: Aryna Sabalenka jokes she would have defeated Coco Gauff at the US Open if she received the crowd support like the WTA Finals 2023 following her win over Elena Rybakina

Sabalenka receives huge applause after winning against Elena Rybakina by final score of 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.

WATCH: Aryna Sabalenka jokes she would have defeated Coco Gauff at the US Open if she received the crowd support like the WTA Finals 2023 following her win over Elena Rybakina

Aryna Sabalenka at WTA Finals (Via WTA/X)

Aryna Sabalenka joked that she would have defeated Coco Gauff at the US Open if she had received the same level of crowd support that she received at the 2023 WTA Finals. The World No.1 defeated Elena Rybakina in the semifinals of the WTA Finals on Friday, and she was visibly moved by the support she received from the crowd.

Sabalenka, in her post-match interview, said, 

Guys, oh my god. You're the best. I wish the conditions were better, but I wish I could bring all of you with me to each tournament I'm playing. I really needed this support at US Open. If you were there, I definitely would win that Slam.
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Sabalenka lost to Gauff in the final of the US Open in September, but she has been in excellent form since then. She has won her last 12 matches and is now gunning to keep her No.1 position in the world ranking.

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The Belarusian’s remarks at the WTA Finals not only express their gratitude to the Mexican crowd but also indirectly criticize the one-sided fan support they received in the US Open final against Gauff. The stadium was packed with rowdy American fans. Even Gauff’s pre-match interview was overshadowed by their applause and cheers.

Aryna Sabalenka beats Elena Rybakina to reach the semi-finals of WTA Finals

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka weathered the storm, both literally and figuratively, to defeat fourth seed Elena Rybakina 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. She has now reached the semifinals of the WTA Finals in Cancun, scheduled for Saturday.

Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka (Credits: NBC New York)

Speaking to Tennis channel she said, 

I didn’t really think a lot about this match, I was just like, whatever. I’m going to go out there and do everything I can and if I win, I win and if I lose, I go home on vacation.

The match was suspended on Thursday due to bad weather, but Sabalenka resumed with the same intensity she displayed in the opening set. She broke Rybakina’s serve early in the third set and held on for the victory, firing an ace on match point to seal her victory.

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