Aryna Sabalenka’s remarkable streak of consistency at the sport’s biggest stages rolled on Sunday in New York, as the World No.1 powered past Spain’s Cristina Bucsa, 6-3, 6-2, to book her place in the US Open quarterfinals.
With the victory, Sabalenka has now reached the last eight at 12 consecutive Grand Slams, an achievement that underlines her dominance and durability. She becomes the first player since Victoria Azarenka (2012-14) to reach the quarterfinals at both the Australian Open and the US Open in three straight seasons, and only the fourth woman to reach all four Grand Slam quarterfinals in a season while holding the WTA’s No.1 ranking. Martina Hingis (2000), Lindsay Davenport (2005), and Serena Williams (2015-16) are the only others on that list.
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“I’m super proud. I think that’s incredible achievement,” Sabalenka said. “I think for me the key was balancing on- and off-the-court life. I think I’ve done a great job on balancing really hard work and also great recovery and some fun time outside of tennis court. I think that’s been the key. I feel like I’m really enjoying my journey, my life. I think that’s the main thing.”
For a player once defined by volatility, Sabalenka’s transformation into a model of consistency has been nothing short of stunning. Since her breakthrough run to the 2021 US Open semifinals, the Belarusian has added three major titles and a steady stream of deep runs to her résumé, and her unshakable ability to deliver in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of Slams has set her apart from the pack. She has also become nearly untouchable in deciding moments, winning 18 consecutive tiebreaks.
Top-seeded Sabalenka will face Marketa Vondrousova in the quarterfinals.