Tennis-Sabalenka arrives at U.S. Open with top ranking in her sights

Aug 19, 2023; Mason, OH, USA; Aryna Sabalenka returns a shot against Karolina Muchova (CZE) during the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

(Reuters) - Aryna Sabalenka has the chance to dethrone Iga Swiatek and claim the world number one ranking for the first time at the U.S. Open and the big-hitting Belarusian will relish a return to New York's hardcourts.

Sabalenka captured a maiden major at the Australian Open in January after a title run in Adelaide and continued to flourish during the U.S. hardcourt swing by reaching the Indian Wells final and the Miami Open quarter-finals.