Aryna Sabalenka sends message to Marketa Vondrousova on social media as she withdraws from their US Open quarterfinal

Marketa Vondrousova was scheduled to contest her second US Open quarterfinal in three years.

The 2023 Wimbledon champion made a strong start in New York, winning her first two matches in straight sets.

It was in round three that she secured her first seeded scalp of the tournament, when Vondrousova defeated [7] Jasmine Paolini 7-6, 6-1.

Backing that up with another strong performance, Vondrousova beat the in-form [7] Elena Rybakina in three sets to book a date with the world number one in the quarterfinals.

Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Unfortunately, hours before Vondrousova and Aryna Sabalenka’s quarterfinal, the Czech star was forced to withdraw due to injury.

Reacting to the news, Sabalenka sent a message to the 26-year-old on social media.

Aryna Sabalenka says she is ‘so sorry’ for Marketa Vondrousova as she withdraws from the US Open

After the US Open announced Vondrousova’s withdrawal, Sabalenka shared her thoughts on her Instagram story.

“So sorry for Marketa [Vondrousova] after all she’s been through,” said Sabalenka.

More Tennis News

“She has been playing amazing tennis, and I know how badly this must hurt for her.

“Take care of yourself, and I hope you can recover quickly.

Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images

“Love, Aryna.”

Vondrousova is widely regarded as one of the most talented players on the WTA Tour, but has had her career ravaged by injuries over recent years.

The Czech athlete missed last year’s US Open and this year’s Australian Open with a shoulder injury.

She seemed to have found her footing in New York, however, and was expected to provide Sabalenka with her toughest challenge of the tournament to date.

Unable to compete, it’s back to the drawing board for Vondrousova, who may now be questioning if she will ever overcome her injury struggles.

For Sabalenka… all eyes are now on the semis, where she will play Jessica Pegula for the tenth time.

Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula’s head-to-head record

Sabalenka and Pegula have met nine times previously on the WTA Tour, as the Belarusian star leads their head-to-head 7-2.

The world number one has won their last three matches, all of which saw her claim ‘big’ titles on North American hard courts.

Match Surface Tier Winner Loser Score 2025 Miami Open – F Hard WTA 1000 Aryna Sabalenka Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 2024 US Open – F Hard Grand Slam Aryna Sabalenka Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 2024 Cincinnati Open – F Hard WTA 1000 Aryna Sabalenka Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-5 2023 WTA Finals – RR Hard WTA Finals Jessica Pegula Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-3 2022 WTA Finals – RR Hard WTA Finals Aryna Sabalenka Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-5 2022 Italian Open – 3R Clay WTA 1000 Aryna Sabalenka Jessica Pegula 6-1, 6-4 2021 Madrid Open – 3R Clay WTA 1000 Aryna Sabalenka Jessica Pegula 6-1, 6-2 2020 French Open – 1R Clay Grand Slam Aryna Sabalenka Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-1 2020 Cincinnati Open – 3R Hard WTA 1000 Jessica Pegula Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka’s head-to-head record

12 months ago, Sabalenka beat Pegula in New York to win her maiden US Open title, as the American came up short in front of her home crowd.

Despite reaching two Grand Slam finals earlier this year, Sabalenka hasn’t won a Grand Slam since her triumph at Flushing Meadows in 2024, and would love nothing more than to pick up her second consecutive US Open title this weekend.

The world number one has been remarkably consistent at the four majors in 2025, but won’t want to finish the year without adding to her tally of three Grand Slams.

Searching for a place in her seventh career Grand Slam final, Sabalenka will play Pegula on Thursday, September 4.

Click here to read article