Sabalenka on fire just in time for the US Open

NEW HAVEN — Heading into the US Open, 20-year-old Aryna Sabalenka has the most momentum out of anyone. Her August performance has been a warning shot to the US Open field.

She's won 11 of her past 13 matches, including victories over Caroline Wozniacki, Johanna Konta, Karolina Pliskova, Caroline Garcia, Madison Keys and, to reach the final of the Connecticut Open, Julia Goerges.

Sabalenka then won her first WTA title on Saturday by steamrolling Carla Suarez Navarro in the final 6-1, 6-4.

Suarez Navarro didn't necessarily play a bad match; she ended it with more winners than unforced errors. But Sabalenka plowed through as though she were playing a video game on easiest level.

"In the first set, I don't think that I play bad," Suarez Navarro said. "She didn't give me opportunities to play a little bit, so the point was too fast."

The Spaniard rose to the occasion in the second, forcing the score to 4-4 with crafty shotmaking:

Suarez Navarro reached the final by winning just one completed match. She received a walkover from Konta, a retirement from Petra Kvitova after the first set and a retirement from Monica Puig at 4-4.

The New Haven crown belonged to Sabalaneka, who wrestled the second set back in the final games.

Sabalenka is playing the main draw of the US Open for the first time next week. She opens against breakout American player Danielle Collins.

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