Sabalenka Dominates Burel, Sets Up Exciting Kasatkina Clash
Aryna Sabalenka, the second seed from Belarus, exhibited sheer dominance in her third-round match at the 2023 U.S. Open as she breezed past France’s Clara Burel with a resounding 6-1, 6-1 victory. This swift win marked the end of Burel’s journey in New York and showcased Sabalenka’s formidable form. Sabalenka’s performance was nothing short of remarkable. She clinched the first five games of the opening set without allowing Burel a single break point opportunity. Although Burel showed some resistance early in the second set, Sabalenka swiftly regained control. She faced her only break point of the match but extinguished Burel’s hopes with a well-placed drop shot. The frustration in Burel’s game was evident as she slammed her racquet in the final moments. Sabalenka sealed the match with a backhand winner, breaking Burel’s serve. Next up, Sabalenka will take on Russia’s Daria Kasatkina in what promises to be an electrifying encounter. Sabalenka holds a 4-2 record over Kasatkina, including a recent victory in Cincinnati. However, when it comes to hard court matches, they are evenly matched with two wins each. Meanwhile, Kasatkina showcased her exceptional defensive skills in her match against Greet Minnen, securing her spot in the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2017.
Re-reported from the article originally published in The India Today.
