Iga Swiatek put on notice before US Open as Navratilova makes Sabalenka statement
Martina Navratilova believes Aryna Sabalenka will have a crucial advantage over Iga Swiatek in the race to win this year’s US Open. The two players are the biggest favourites to lift the trophy at Flushing Meadows and will meet in the final if everything goes to plan.
They are on opposing sides of the draw and will both start against players who went through qualifying last week. Sabalenka will face Priscilla Hon in her opening match, while Swiatek will go up against lucky loser Kamilla Rakhimova.
Assessing their chances of US Open glory, Navratilova told the WTA website that Sabalenka is the only player with the ability to overpower Swiatek.
“For Iga, the only person who can really hit her off the court is Sabalenka,” said Navratilova. “[Elena] Rybakina, maybe on grass, but not on hard courts. Iga’s forehand on the hard court really pays off, so that levels the playing field against Rybakina.
“Against Sabalenka, Iga has better tools to deal with her, to neutralize her, than anybody else. She’s been working on her serve, getting more free points on that.”
Swiatek will be hoping to redeem herself at the US Open after failing to win Olympic gold despite being the outright favourite. She was beaten by Qinwen Zheng in the semi-finals and later revealed that she spent hours crying over the pain of defeat.
“I think the Olympics was just way too much pressure because she was such a favourite on the clay, and that can play games with your brain,” added Navratilova. “So I wouldn’t worry about the Olympic result that much.”
