Aryna Sabalenka is into the semi-finals of the US Open, and had the luxury of not having to play a point of her scheduled quarter-final match after being handed a walkover.
The world number one had been set to face a challenging encounter with Marketa Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion who had already dumped out three seeds en route to the last eight.
However, Vondrousova has sadly had to withdraw from the tournament, meaning Sabalenka will now have some extra rest before her semi-final clash as the Belarusian aims to successfully defend the title she won last year.
Why did Vondrousova withdraw?
Vondrousova, who missed last year's US Open following shoulder surgery, appeared to injure her knee while practicing at Flushing Meadows.
The Czech was seen in tears as she was forced to make the decision to withdraw, ending a fine run in New York.
Her surge to the quarter-finals saw Vondrousova claim victories over seventh seed Jasmine Paolini and ninth seed Elena Rybakina.
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In a post on Instagram, Sabalenka wrote: "So sorry for Marketa after all she’s been through. She has been playing amazing tennis and I know how badly this must hurt for her."
Official statement from Marketa Vondrousova regarding her withdrawal 🔽:#USOpen pic.twitter.com/gGTyKfoXC0
— Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) September 2, 2025
Who's next for Sabalenka?
Sabalenka will face a difficult assignment if she is to progress to a second successive US Open final.
She will take on home hope Jessica Pegula in a rematch of last year's final.
Pegula progressed to the last four with a straight-sets win over Barbora Krejcikova.
The favourite to lift the women's singles trophy, Sabalenka is 7-2 in nine meetings with Pegula.