THERE was a sense of déjà vu in the air when world number two Aryna Sabalenka completely dismantled quarter final opponent Qinwen Zheng at the US Open overnight. The second seed won 6-1 6-2 to reach the semi-finals only 12 months after sending Zheng – then a surprise quarter finalist – home with another comprehensive straight sets victory.

After being the 26th seed 12 months ago, Zheng entered the Flushing Meadows major as seventh seed, but was once again handed a one-sided loss with the 21-year-old unable to quell the powerful Belarusian.

Zheng has had a strong year in 2024, rising into the Top 10 and winning gold at the Paris Olympics after defeating world number one Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals. However the form Sabalenka showed throughout the US Open has been better, losing just one set compared to Zheng battling through a trio of three-set contests.

After just 73 minutes, Sabalenka had stamped her ticket into the semi-finals, dropping just three games along the way and always being in control. While serving two less aces (3-5), Sabalenka was able to convert 73 and 53 per cent of her first and second serve points, while winning 67 per cent of her second serve return points.

She played a consistent game throughout the match, saving the only break point she faced, and converted four of eight off Zheng’s serve. In the end, Sabalenka hit 16 winners to nine and even had one less unforced error (19-20) to set up a massive semi-final clash with local hope Emma Navarro.

“[Navarro is] doing really well,” Sabalenka said post-match. “Beautiful to see she’s working hard, playing really great tennis, smart tennis, moving well, hitting pretty heavy shots. 

“Last two matches we played was really tough, tough matches physically and mentally. Even though I won the last one in two sets, it wasn’t that easy match, and it was very intense match. I’m really looking for another great battle against her.”

In Navarro’s quarter final, the 13th seeded American won 6-2 7-5 in an equally quick 72 minutes over the rapidly rising 26th seed, Paula Badosa. The Spaniard is a former world number three, but could not contain the impressive Navarro who hit two more winners (12-10) and 20 less unforced errors (15-35) in the victory.