US Open 2023: Aryna Sabalenka eyes Arthur Ashe Stadium after breezing past Clara Burel to reach fourth round of US Open

Aryna Sabalenka has her eyes on playing at the Arthur Ashe Stadium after breezing into the US Open fourth round with a comprehensive 6-1 6-1 win over Clara Burel.

The second seed required just one hour to overcome Burel and set up a last-16 matchup with Daria Kasatkina having fired 22 winners at Louis Armstrong Stadium.

In her press conference, it was put to the Belarusian that she has yet to play on the main court at the US Open – the 22,000-seat Arthur Ashe.

Sabalenka responded: “I mean, of course I have noticed that. Of course I would like to play on Ashe. It’s [a] different atmosphere. Louis Armstrong giving me so much support and I like playing there, but yeah, I hope that next match will be on Ashe.

“No pressure. I feel good on Louis. Feel good on Ashe. It’s, yeah, whatever.”

It was a repeat of the 2022 meeting with Burel, and just like last year, Sabalenka only dropped two games – but she got the job done eight minutes quicker this time around.

In a dominant display, Sabalenka lost just eight points behind her first serve and faced only one break point in the match against her French opponent, which she saved with a well-placed drop shot.

“I’m super happy with the performance today. I think I played really great tennis today. Just super happy with this win,” Sabalenka said.

“I felt good and ready to go. Yeah, I felt pretty comfortable on court today.”

A reporter noted that Sabalenka had dropped just 12 games so far this week, and the Australian Open champion suggested that she has been working hard to improve her game.

She said: “I [am] definitely not happy with the start of the US Open, with those few games on my serve when I served a lot of double faults. But I’m happy that I was able to fix it and start serving better.”

No. 13 seed Kasatkina beat Belgium’s Greet Minnen 6-3 6-4 in one hour and 28 minutes.

“Yeah, always tricky matches against her,” said Sabalenka about her next opponent.

“She’s playing great tennis. Moving really well. Trying to get everything she can back on that side.

“I feel like I have to be focused and I don’t have to overrush things against her. I just have to stay calm and just wait for the opportunity and take it.”