Top Seed Eyes Rebound at Her 'Favourite Slam'

Sabalenka determined to retain her New York title after tough time in this season's Majors

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NEW YORK - World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka believes she is ready to hit her peak, as she prepares to launch the defence of her US Open crown after a tumultuous season of near misses.

The 27-year-old from Belarus arrives at Flushing Meadows sitting on top of the global rankings, despite a year in which she has failed to add to her tally of three Grand Slam singles titles.

Agonising defeats in the finals of the Australian and French Opens, followed by a semi-final exit at Wimbledon, have left Sabalenka even more determined to retain her crown in New York - a tournament she regards as her favourite Grand Slam.

The Belarusian took a lengthy break after her Wimbledon disappointment, opting to skip the WTA Montreal tournament in order to recharge.

Although her return at the Cincinnati Open ended in a straight-sets loss to Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals, a relaxed Sabalenka says she is in a positive mood heading to New York.