Sabalenka hopes to ride Cincy momentum to USO success

Cincinnati champion Aryna Sabalenka said on Friday she dreams of finally breaking through for a US Open trophy after dropping the final a year ag ot Coco Gauff.

The 25-year-old who beat Jessica Pegula for the Midwest American title on Monday, stands second at Flushing Meadows behind Iga Swiatek, also in search of her first career honour here.

“I’m really happy that in Cincinnati things clicked for me,and I trust the hard work we did,” she said as she prepared for the New York first round starting on Monday.

“I still feel hungry, and I still feel maybe not fresh-fresh, but definitely like ready to go.

“I feel hungrier than I was before Wimbledon (which she missed with a shoulder injury).

Sabalenka added: “I definitely feel really good after the Cincinnati title. It was very important for me to get that title and to get those wins.

“It’s  just a happy moment before going to the US Open.. it’s also very important to have good feelings before the big tournaments.”

Sabalekna says she is not dwelling on her 2023 finals loss in New York.

“It’s not like it’s in my mind a lot, (I don’t have) an unfinished something here.

But the loss definitely motivated me a lot to work hard and to improve things which didn’t work in the previous years.

“Every time I’m coming here, I’m really hoping for the best result. I really hope one day I’ll be happy to lift this beautiful trophy.”