Sabalenka's sly dig during US Open illustrates tennis charm

World number two Aryna Sabalenka has teased the New York crowd for cheering for her ‘a bit too late’ after having another successful US Open. The fourth and final Grand Slam of the year is moving towards conclusion where players from all over the world are participating to showcase their talent and secure the ultimate prize.

Sabalenka has booked her place in the final of the US Open after beating America’s Emma Navarro in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 7-6. Talking after the match, the world number two teased the crowd sitting in the arena for supporting her a ‘bit too late’. "Guys, now you're cheering for me. Wow. It's a bit too late," said Sabalenka "It really means a lot and even though you guys were supporting her still I had the goose bumps for you cheering. It was an incredible atmosphere."

It is the second consecutive year that the Minsk-born star has managed to book her spot in the final of the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year. Last year, she lost to America’s Coco Gauff in the all-important final with a score of 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. This year, she will face another American — Jessica Pegula — in the final of the mega-event. The 30-year-old cemented her spot in the final of the competition after beating Karolina Muchova in the semifinal with a score of 1-6, 6-4, 6-2.

It will be Pegula’s first appearance in the final of any Grand Slam in her career. Overall, it will be the eighth meeting between the two players in professional tennis. In the previous seven meetings, Sabalenka had a clear edge as she won on five occasions and suffered just two defeats in the process. Their most recent meeting came in the final of the Cincinnati Open last month, where once again, the current world number two came out on top in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 7-5.