Leylah Fernandez became the latest player to learn a lesson that is becoming common knowledge on the WTA Tour: Don’t get into a tiebreaker with Aryna Sabalenka.
The top seed at the U.S. Open and the reigning champion, Sabalenka downed 31st-seeded Fernandez 6-3, 7-6 (2) in third-round action on Friday in New York.
Sabalenka closed the match by winning her 18th consecutive tiebreaker, an Open Era record (since 1968). The Belarusian star improved to 20-1 in tiebreakers this year, the most tiebreaker wins by a player in a season during the Open Era.
Fernandez, a Canadian, had upset Sabalenka in the 2021 U.S. Open semifinals.
“It was definitely an exciting match,” Sabalenka said. “Last time we met, it was a great battle. She played an incredible match, and I wanted this revenge badly, so I’