How do you win over a group full of Americans? You buy them a round of drinks, of course.
World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka resorted to the old trick Tuesday following her 6-1, 6-2 win over Qinwen Zheng in the 2024 U.S. Open quarterfinal. With the victory, the Belarusian set up a semifinal clash against U.S. star Emma Navarro, who won her quarterfinal match against Paula Badosa earlier in the day.
Sabalenka will be walking into hostile territory Friday as she tries to take down Navarro, exactly a year after she ran into Coco Gauff, another American, in the final at Arthur Ashe Stadium. She lost.
When asked how she plans to get people on her side ahead of Friday’s game, Sabalenka paused for a second before uttering the words, “Drinks on me tonight?” while shrugging her shoulders.
“For everybody?” asked the interviewer.
“Okay, guys. Drinks on me, and please give me some support in the next match [laughs],” she responded.
