SABALENKA IN ENEMY TERRITORY AGAIN

Belarusian jokes she has to buy drinks to get support against American Navarro

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Set to face American Emma Navarro in front of the US Open's boisterous home fans, Aryna Sabalenka jokingly sought to peel off some of that partisan support by offering them a round of drinks if they cheered for her in their semi-final clash on Sept 5.

The world No. 2 Belarusian has had an up-and-down relationship with the Flushing Meadows crowd over the years, calling them out for a lack of support during last season's final against home favourite and eventual winner Coco Gauff before shedding tears at the trophy ceremony.

After her routine 6-1, 6-2 win over China's Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen on Sept 3, Sabalenka was asked in an on-court interview how she might get the home fans on her side against Navarro at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"Drinks on me tonight?" she said. "Drinks on me and please give me some support in the next match," she added, as the crowd clapped and cheered.

The 26-year-old has reached at least the quarter-finals in the last eight Grand Slams she has played, and is in the last four of the US Open for the fourth year in a row.