Aryna Sabalenka is now 20-2 at major tournaments in 2023, a sparkling win-loss record built on a foundation of free-flowing winners.
The reigning Australian Open champion has struck a collective 646 winners in Grand Slam matches this year, more than any other woman.
By more winners, we mean significantly more – the second-placed player on the women’s list is Ons Jabeur, with 502.
*calculated at the completion of US Open 3R matches
After winning her first Grand Slam singles title at Melbourne Park, Sabalenka maintained her formidable level by reaching successive semifinals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
She has since progressed to the second week at the US Open, demonstrating her consistency at the sport’s four biggest tournaments.
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With 22 Grand Slam matches played in 2023, Sabalenka eclipses even world No.1 Iga Swiatek, who holds an impressive 17-2 record (19 matches) at this year’s majors.
More matches means more chances to hit winners, perhaps a factor in why Sabalenka tops the table.
But when her winner tally is divided across her 22 Grand Slam matches, she remains among the women’s top five, averaging more than 29 winners per match.
*calculated at the completion of US Open 3R matches
Of course, the longer a match extends, the more opportunity a player has to hit winners.
This is the case for Ostapenko, who has advanced to the second week of the US Open after three consecutive three-set wins.
Sabalenka has progressed to the same stage with comparative efficiency; the world No.2 has posted three dominant straight-sets wins, surrendering no more than three games per set and just 12 games overall.
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With six sets played to Ostapenko’s nine, we examined Sabalenka’s average number of winners per set in Grand Slam matches this year.
She moves higher on the list, and closes the gap on Ostapenko.
*calculated at the completion of US Open 3R matches
Sabalenka’s thunderous shot-making has been central to her success in this memorable season.
In her first four matches at AO 2023, it emerged that almost 50 per cent of her total points won were thanks to winners – the highest percentage of any player, woman or man, at that point of the tournament.
Given she reached the semifinals at last year’s US Open, she has now appeared in the second week at five straight majors.
She is two wins from a fifth consecutive Grand Slam semifinal.