Aryna Sabalenka came through a tough test against Kamilla Rakhimova - particularly in the second set - to reach the fourth round of the US Open. The two-time defending champion in New York started superbly, storming into a 3-0 lead in the opening set as she didn't miss a single first serve until the seventh game of the match, in which Rakhimova would three times take her to deuce. That would prove to be Rakhimova's only real opening in the first set, Sabalenka taking it 6-3, but she'd prove much more competitive in the second.
Sabalenka would cut a frustrated figure as Rakhimova came from behind four-straight times to hold serve, saving four break points along the way, before the world No 1 finally ended her resolve in the ninth game of the second set. On this occasion, Rakhimova let a 40-0 lead slip as Sabalenka battled back to secure the crucial break before serving things out to book her spot in the last 16. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player "First of all, it's annoying she played so well," Sabalenka said in her on-court interview after clinching her victory.
"She played incredible and pushed me so hard in the second set. It really pushed me to improve and motivated me to work hard. "I'm super happy I was able to close this match out in two sets." After Sabalenka's second-round win, she cut short questions about her pre-tournament activities in an excruciating exchange with a reporter.
A regular poster on social media at the various events she attends and with the brands she works, Sabalenka fired back that her off-court appearances had not come at the expense of her preparations for Flushing Meadows. Referencing that further after her victory over Rakhimova, Sabalenka added: "I completely shut down noise from outside. "I focus on myself, and I know if I do that and work really hard I will have my chances and be able to play a great level of tennis." The US Open is live on Sky Sports from August 30.
Stream tennis with no contract on NOW and the Sky Sports App. You can also watch the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from 25-27 September live on Sky Sports.
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