Who Is Aryna Sabalenka? Belarus Player Becomes US Open Runner-Up

2023's US Open final saw American prodigy Coco Gauff battle it out with Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka for the title. Ranked number 1 in Women's Singles, Aryna Sabalenka gave a tough fight to the winner Coco Gauff. With her incredible performance in the tournament, Sabalenka overtook Poland's Iga Swiatek in the new rankings updated on Monday. Sabalenka lost to Coco Gauff 2-6. 6-3, 6-2.

Sabalenka, a tennis player from Belarus, played against Coco Gauff in her first US Open Final this year. 

Who is Aryna Sabalenka?

Aryna Sabalenka is a female tennis player from Belarus. 2023 has been an amazing year for the Belarusian sportswoman- she won the Australian Open of 2023 and reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. On Monday, the new world rankings for tennis have her set to be the world's new number one.

US Open 2023

Sabalenka's performance at the US Open was quite surprising in that she neatly slipped away with win after win. At the US Open semi-finals at Arthur Ashe Stadium, things initially didn't look so good for Sabalenka. This year's US Open finals have been a battle for the Belarusian player, and her entry into the US Open semifinals was a surprise to many.

This year's semifinals saw her fight it out with Madison Keys, an American native, for a spot in the finals. Whilst she lost the first set in the tennis match to Madison Keys she rebounded in great style, with the final score becoming Sabalenka 0-6 6-6 (7-1) 6-6 (10-5) Keys, ending in Sabalenka's victory. Her surprising victory ended the hopes of American fans wanting an All-American US Open final but has raised interest in the final match against Coco Gauff. 

On Saturday, Sabalenka played against America's teen prodigy Coco Gauff for the US Open Final. On Coco Gauff, Sabalenka said that she was an "amazing player," and that she'd be "fighting for every point," according to the New York Times.

Suggested Reading: "She's Never Ready": Coco Gauff Argues At US Open Against Opponent