The US Open has already been a hit for Aryna Sabalenka, whether or not she wins it or not. The quantity two seed is already into the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows and her potential path to glory has turn into even clearer after Iga Swiatek suffered a shock defeat to Jelena Ostapenko within the Round of 16.

As a end result, Sabalenka now is aware of that even when she would not win one other sport in New York this week, she is going to leapfrog Swiatek and turn into world No 1 for the primary time as soon as the ultimate Grand Slam of the season is concluded.

The Belarusian's place within the remaining eight was secured after she beat Daria Kasatkina 6-1, 6-3 within the Arthur Ashe Stadium. Her subsequent opponent was anticipated to be Ons Jabeur however the Tunisian was left surprised after she was eradicated by China's Qinwen Zheng 6-2, 6-4.

Despite struggling an earlier-than-expected exit, Jabeur was certainly one of a number of gamers to ship congratulatory messages to Sabalenka after her rise to the summit of ladies's elite tennis was confirmed.

But one other star of the game who himself will turn into a No 1 as soon as extra subsequent week additionally received in on the motion.

Speaking concerning the goodwill messages she has acquired in her post-match press convention, Sabalenka mentioned: “I have read Ons's words, he has been very kind. Despite being upset with her defeat, she came to congratulate me. I love this girl, she is amazing, she is the best.

"I received many messages of support from people, from players, but the funniest was from [Novak] Djokovic, who will also return to No. 1 in the world after this US Open.

"Someone drew us with those fun sunglasses and he sent it to me, 'Smile, you will soon become No 1 in the world.' I would say it was the most fun.”

Sabalenka can be sizzling favorite towards world No 23 Zheng when the 2 go head-to-head on Wednesday. The winner can be rewarded with a semi-final towards both Marketa Vondrousova or house favorite Massion Keys.

Sabalenka is in pursuit of the second Grand Slam title of her profession after profitable the Australian Open in January. She has additionally beforehand been a US Open semi-finalist in her final two appearances at Flushing Meadows and reached the identical stage of this 12 months's French Open and Wimbledon Championship, repeating her SW19 exploits of two years in the past.

Speaking about turning into the brand new world No 1, she mentioned: "It really means a lot for me, a lot for my family and it’s just unbelievable. It’s something crazy. I still can’t believe it."