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After looking at the recently released draw for the US Open, several tennis fans on social media claimed World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka would have an easy time at the New York Major.
The Belarusian, seeded No.2, is placed in the fourth quarter of the women's singles draw at the US Open. She will begin her campaign against Belgium's Maryna Zanevska in the opening round.
In the second round, Sabalenka could face either Anna Blinkova of Russia or Jodie Burrage of Great Britain. Going by seedings in the fourth quarter, the reigning Australian Open champion might face No. 25 seed Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic in the third round, No. 13 seed Daria Kasatkina of Russia in the fourth round, and No. 5 seed Ons Jabeur in the quarterfinals.
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If she gets past her quarter, Aryna Sabalenka is projected to face No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula in the semifinals and No. 1 seed and defending champion Iga Swiatek in the final.
Tennis fans expressed their thoughts on Sabalenka's draw, with many expecting that she would sail through to the final in Flushing Meadows. One fan suggested that the draw was "rigged" in the Belarusian's favor.
"I’m convinced this draw is rigged cause wtf is this?!" the fan wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Some users suggested that the draw was too easy for Sabalenka and that she should have no trouble getting past these players.
"Aryna as always getting the easiest draw, IM TIRED," a fan wrote.
"Hot Aryna. The first candidate to win the US Open title," another comment read.
One fan argued that while Sabalenka has a favorable path to the final, some players - like Sofia Kenin, Daria Kasatkina, Donna Vekic and Marie Bouzkova - might cause some trouble.
"Such an easy draw for sabalenka. Butttt there’s some dark horses here in Kenin, kasatkina, vekic and bouzkova," a fan opined.
Here are some more fan reactions to Aryna Sabalenka's draw for the US Open:
Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek to go head-to-head for World No. 1 ranking at US Open 2023
Aryna Sabalenka has another chance to dethrone Iga Swiatek as the World No. 1. Swiatek currently occupies the top spot with 9,955 points, while Sabalenka is No. 2 with 8,746 points, a difference of 1,209.
In New York, Swiatek is defending her title and 2000 points, while the Belarusian is defending 780 points from her 2022 semifinal appearance.
Before the US Open begins, Swiatek will be No. 2 in the Live Rankings with 7,955 points, while Aryna Sabalenka would occupy the top spot with 7,966 points, an 11-point difference. This means whoever progresses further in New York will make the World No. 1 spot her own after the year's last Grand Slam.
Additionally, if Swiatek and Sabalenka end their campaign in the same round, the latter becomes World No. 1.
Iga Swiatek will begin her campaign against Rebecca Peterson of Sweden in the opening round. She is projected to face either Clervie Ngounoue or Daria Saville in the second round, No. 29 seed Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the third round, No. 16 seed Veronika Kudermetova in the fourth round, and No. 6 seed Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals.
No. 4 seed Elena Rybakina and No. 2 seed Sabalenka will likely be Swiatek's semifinals and final opponents if she manages to get past her quarter.
