Aryna Sabalenka demonstrated why she is the US Open favorite during her fourth-round victory against Elise Mertens, who may feel the final score was harsh on her.
The two-time Australian Open champion started slowly in the last round against Ekaterina Alexandrova before recovering to avoid another US Open upset that players like Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, and Coco Gauff suffered.
Sabalenka's slow start might have been due to the late start time. The players did not get on the court until after midnight. Sabalenka was bewildered by the first match of the night session on the Arthur Ashe Stadium, which took place over an hour after the day session ended.
Mertens was undoubtedly feeling confident ahead of this contest. The Belgian came through a thrilling third-round match against the 2017 runner-up at Flushing Meadows Madison Keys 6-7, 7-5, 6-4.
However, facing this year's US Open favorite, Sabalenka, was an even bigger challenge. Mertens' level was not very different from the last round against Keys, but she still could not upset Sabalenka despite creating chances.
The Belarusian broke in the first game of the match. Martens was 40-15 up in that game but could not convert from that position, costing herself an excellent start to the match that could have helped her.
The multiple-time Grand Slam doubles champion then had two break points in the next game on Sabalenka's serve. She was unable to capitalize on that opportunity, which became a recurring theme for her.
Unfortunately for Mertens, the set ended in the same manner. She got broken for 2-5 down after some huge hitting from Sabalenka before the world No. 2 produced some big serving to save two more break points to secure the set 6-2.
To Mertens' credit, she did not stop fighting after the harsh final score of the opening set, considering how well she played. The 28-year-old saved a break point in the opening game to get off to a better start in the second set.
The pressure eventually told in the sixth game of the set, though. Both players were competing at a very high level, and the fans on Louis Armstrong Stadium were enjoying every moment. Sabalenka crashed another forehand winner to break for 3-2 up.
Mertens created more chances to get back into the match, but Sabalenka's composure in the big moments was outstanding. She hit a backhand winner on break point down to go 4-2 up.
Sabalenka was then 0-40 down in her following service game. Once again, she saved all three with brilliant hitting. Mertens did nothing wrong on the break points in the second set, but she ended the match having not taken eight opportunities to break.
Last year's runner-up had a less pressurized final service game and sealed a 6-2, 6-4 triumph. It was a closer and higher-quality contest than the score suggests, and Sabalenka can take so much confidence from a great performance.
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