NEW YORK (AP) — Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka overpowered Taylor Townsend on Sunday to reach the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
Townsend broke Sabalenka three times in the champion's first four service games as she looked to spring the upset. Sabalenka found a groove, regained her confidence and won 6-4, 6-3.
“Basically, I was just trying to stay focused on myself and play not only point by point but ball by ball,” Sabalenka said. “I’m happy that I was able to turn it around in that second set.”
This was the first meeting between Sabalenka and Townsend, who gave her opponent fits in the first set but struggled to find her rhythm in the second.