Aryna Sabalenka’s US Open journey is alive and well after she battled past Canada’s Leylah Fernandez in a dramatic third-round clash under the lights of Louis Armstrong Stadium. The defending champion, who lifted the trophy at Flushing Meadows last year, showed grit and resilience to avenge her painful 2021 semi-final loss to Fernandez and secure her place in the fourth round for the fifth consecutive year.
The stakes were clear from the opening game, which turned into a marathon filled with tension, nerves, and break points. Sabalenka looked shaky early on, struggling to find her range as Fernandez cheered on by a passionate crowd threatened to strike first. But once the Belarusian weathered the storm, she gradually imposed her powerful baseline game, grinding her way into form and building momentum.
Evening the Score with Fernandez
For Sabalenka, this was more than just another third-round victory. Her defeat to Fernandez four years ago in the semi-finals still lingers as one of the toughest losses of her career. On that night, the Canadian teenager stunned the world with fearless shot-making, dashing Sabalenka’s hopes of reaching her first US Open final.
This time, however, the world No. 1 turned the tables. With greater maturity and championship experience behind her, Sabalenka managed her nerves in key moments and refused to let Fernandez dictate the pace. While the Canadian pushed hard, particularly in the second set, the Belarusian demonstrated why she has become the dominant force in women’s tennis over the last two seasons.
Tie-Break Dominance
The highlight of the match came in the second set, when Fernandez forced a tie-break after refusing to go down quietly. The atmosphere reached fever pitch as fans sensed an upset brewing. Yet, in the most critical moments, Sabalenka’s composure shone through. She raced to a commanding 6-1 lead in the tie-break before sealing the match with a thunderous forehand winner.
That moment underlined an astonishing statistic: Sabalenka is now 21–1 in tie-breaks in 2025, and she has won her last 18 in a row. For an athlete once criticized for mental lapses in tight moments, the transformation has been remarkable. It is no exaggeration to say that her ability to thrive in pressure-packed deciders has become one of her greatest weapons.
Chasing History
Sabalenka’s victory keeps alive her bid to achieve something no woman has managed since Serena Williams more than a decade ago: winning back-to-back US Open titles. For a player who has already conquered multiple Grand Slams, this potential milestone would further cement her legacy as one of the sport’s fiercest competitors.
The road ahead, however, will not be easy. In the fourth round, Sabalenka faces a blockbuster showdown with Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion. Rybakina’s precision and effortless power have troubled Sabalenka in the past, making their upcoming clash one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament.
Elsewhere in the women’s draw, last year’s runner-up Jessica Pegula advanced with a composed performance, while 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova (Czech Republic) will meet Rybakina in another high-stakes contest. There was also a surprise as Barbora Krejcikova battled past 10th seed Emma Navarro in three tight sets, shaking up the top half of the draw.
What Lies Ahead
With the second week looming, the US Open is shaping up to be a battle of champions. Sabalenka’s resilience, her growing dominance in tie-breaks, and her hunger for history make her a formidable favorite. Yet, with rivals like Rybakina, Pegula, and Krejcikova still in contention, the defending champion will need to summon every ounce of her power and poise to repeat her triumph in New York.
For now, though, Sabalenka can savor this victory. She not only booked her ticket to the fourth round but also exorcised some ghosts from the past. In doing so, she reminded the tennis world that she is a champion built not just on brute strength, but on hard-earned mental fortitude.