Aryna Sabalenka setup a clash with Coco Gauff in the final of the women’s singles event at the US Open 2023, while Rohan Bopanna and his partner Matthew Ebden reached the summit clash of the men’s doubles on Day 11.
In a thrilling turn of events at the US Open on Thursday, Sabalenka, the 2023 Australian Open champion, staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Madison Keys in the semi-finals.
Despite losing the first set 6-0, Sabalenka demonstrated her resilience and determination by winning the subsequent sets in tie-breaks, thereby securing her place in the final.
The match eventually extended to a 10-point tie-break, where Sabalenka quickly took a 4-0 lead. She managed her advantage well, closing out the match and securing her spot in the US Open final.
This victory marks Sabalenka’s first appearance in a US Open final, a testament to her formidable skills and tenacity on the court.
On the other side of the tournament, Gauff, the world number six, made history by reaching her first-ever US Open women’s singles final. Her semi-final match against Karolina Muchova on September 8th, 2023, was not without its share of drama.
The game was temporarily halted due to a protest by climate change activists, one of whom glued his feet to the stadium floor. The match was halted for almost 50 minutes as the officials had to escort the final protestor out of the stadium.
Despite this interruption, Gauff maintained her focus and emerged victorious after an intense match that showcased both players’ exceptional talent and competitive spirit. Gauff became the first American teen to make it to the final of the event after Serena Williams with her 6-4, 7-5 win at the Arthur Ashe stadium.
Meanwhile, in the men’s doubles, Bopanna and Ebden advanced to the final after defeating the French duo of Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert. Despite trailing in the initial stages of the match, the Indo-Australian pair managed to turn the tables and secure their spot in the final.
The Indo-Australian pair defeated the French duo of Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 at the Louis Armstrong Stadium. With the win, Bopanna became the oldest player in the Open era to reach a doubles final.
These exciting developments at the US Open 2023 have set the stage for some highly anticipated finals. Sabalenka and Gauff will lock horns on September 9, while Bopanna and Ebden will be facing Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury on Friday, September 8.
