‘I think it is much...’ - Aryna Sabalenka talks about progress in women’s tennis after US Open quarter-final win

Aryna Sabalenka grabbed a stunning victory over Zheng Qinwen in the quarter-finals of the US Open 2024 on Tuesday. The former World No. 1 defeated the Paris Olympic champion 6-1, 6-2 to reach her fourth consecutive semifinal in New York.

Sabalenka was asked after the match about the differences in the level or playing styles of the players on the WTA Tour over the last four or five years. The Belarusian noted that she sees great progress in women's tennis as the game is “much faster right now”.

“Well, it's very tough for me to compare, because like five years ago I was a completely different player and I saw stuff differently than I see it right now. But I definitely see a lot of improvement in the women's tennis. Everyone is getting mentally stronger. Everyone knows how to play tennis. I think tennis is much faster right now,” Sabalenka said. 

“Talking about speed and the way everyone moves. There are statistics. You know, like, everyone kind of knows each other, and it's all about those key moments in the match who's gonna handle that pressure moment better.

“But I definitely think that women’s tennis improved a lot, and it's more fun to watch, especially, like, deeper stages of the tournaments. I think it's really fun to watch. Yeah, I see big progress,” the two-time Grand Slam winner added.

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Sabalenka to play Emma Navarro in semi-final

Sabalenka once again outplayed Zheng with her trademark forehand. The second-seeded player had defeated the Chinese superstar earlier this year to clinch her second Australian Open title. She continued her dominance and will now aim to do well in the next two matches to clinch her third Grand Slam.

She will face America’s Emma Navarro in the semi-final. Notably, Sabalenka beat the 13th seed Navarro in the fourth round at the French Open but lost to her on the hard courts at Indian Wells earlier this year. This ensures a riveting battle between the two at Flushing Meadows.