Sabalenka has message for boyfriend after | Sports News

Aryna Sabalenka delivered a playful message to boyfriend Georgios Frangulis following a romantic proposal that unfolded during her third-round victory over Leylah Fernandez on the US Open.

Under the intense lights of Louis Armstrong Stadium on Friday night, the defending US Open champion maintained her title protection momentum in spectacular fashion. The world No. 1 was compelled to battle via a difficult second-set tiebreak however in the end overcame Fernandez 6-3, 7-6 (2).

Sabalenka — who just lately opened up about her romance with entrepreneur and bike fanatic Frangulis — proved too dominant for the proficient Canadian, securing candy revenge for her heartbreaking defeat in New York 4 years prior. However, regardless of her triumph, the Belarusian won’t have been essentially the most elated girl within the venue.

During the center of her conflict with Fernandez, a couple within the stands grew to become engaged. The gentleman dropped to 1 knee, energized the gang, and left his associate speechless as she broke into tears and accepted with a resounding ‘Yes.’

Sabalenka witnessed the touching scene, which sparked large applause all through the stadium. She later revealed that though it marked the primary time such an occasion had occurred during one of her matches, she tried to dam it out to keep up her focus on the competitors.

“I think it’s the first time that someone proposed during my match,” Sabalenka mentioned. “It was a very sweet moment, but I was just trying not to start smiling, because it’s very cute and I believe they’re super happy right now.

“I used to be simply attempting to keep specializing in my sport, and it was great second, and as I mentioned on courtroom, I want them glad marriage.”

Sabalenka made it clear that she didn’t want a similar proposal, but playfully hinted at her boyfriend Frangulis: “I do not need this sort of proposal. But I checked out my boyfriend.”

With a cheeky grin, she added: “Yeah, no strain.”

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In the end, Sabalenka proved too powerful for Fernandez, avenging her loss to the 2021 finalist from four years prior. She clinched the second set — marking her 17th consecutive tiebreak victory — as she continues her pursuit to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to secure back-to-back women’s singles titles in New York.

Sabalenka recognized her impressive streak in tiebreaks in 2025. When asked if she thinks opponents are cognizant of her tiebreak dominance, she responded: “I hope so.

“I’m not focusing on that during the match, obviously, but extra pressure on my opponents, I love that.”

She went on to say: “Sometimes during the set I’m doubting my decisions, and when I get to the tiebreak I know that there is no time for doubts and I just have to go for my shots and I have to trust my game.

“I’m simply reminding myself that I’ve to trust, I’ve a fairly good feeling, I do know what to do on courtroom, and I’m attempting to stay to the plan of the sport, and attempting to remain aggressive and put as a lot strain as I can on my opponent.”

Sabalenka will proceed her US Open journey within the fourth spherical in opposition to Cristina Bucsa on Sunday, Aug. 31.