Aryna Sabalenka is back at the US Open final. After facing a heartbreaking defeat last year at the Flushing Meadows, the Belarusian would be looking to seize the opportunity this time around. But let us not forget that she has to get through Jessica Pegula to claim her third Grand Slam. In such situations, the support of family and friends makes things easy. And for Sabalenka, her boyfriend Georgios Frangulis, is doing just that. What did he say?

The Belarusian star posted snippets from her US Open journey, with a caption, “@usopen, we meet again 🤝.” As the fans congratulated her in the comments on her massive feat, Frangulis left an endearing message. He posted a heart emoji with the following words, “on a mission.”

Aryna Sabalenka got through her semi-final run against Emma Navarro with relative ease. Dominating from the get-go, the Belarusian star claimed the first set with 6-3 in her favor. While Navarro tried to make a comeback in the second set, Sabalenka came out victorious eventually, even though the crowd was firmly backing Navarro. After making it to her second consecutive US Open final, Sabalenka was elated.

However, this is not the first time that Frangulis has praised Sabalenka in public. A few days ago, after her quarterfinal win, the proud boyfriend congratulated her while appreciating her team for all the efforts they put in to make it happen. He wrote, “@arynasabalenka elevates the game with every serve on the tennis court. Cheers to this Maestra of the Dobel Family who aces the moment with every play.”

Well, Frangulis is not wrong, as Sabalenka is on a mission to make amends for last year’s heartbreak. If the American legend Andy Roddick’s words are to be believed, the Belarusian star has an upper hand before the final. How?

Andy Roddick praises Aryna Sabalenka for her ‘raw power’!

American fans may not agree with Roddick’s view that Pegula would struggle to get through a formidable opponent like Sabalenka. But it can’t be denied that Sabalenka has power, which has impressed Roddick quite a bit. What did he say about her?

“She is an absolute powerhouse. Pure raw power, minus the movement,” he opined.

Comparing Sabalenka to Serena Williams, Roddick said, “As far as pure raw power. And I know she gonna come up and you know get the first strike in on me and then I’m kind of rattled from there is Serena Williams. That the game, you know she is gonna come out, do what she gonna do and you can’t do anything about it.”

To defeat Sabalenka, Pegula has to bring her A-game to the fore when it comes to her service, or else Sabalenka will not give her any chance to make a comeback later on.

Whether Pegula clinches the title or not, we have to wait and see. However, one thing is for sure, Aryna Sabalenka will not just be up against Pegula, but also against the local crowd who will be backing an American again.

Will Jessica Pegula live up to the expectations of the home crowd? What do you think?

UPDATE: Aryna Sabalenka defeated Jessica Pegula, 7-5, 7-5, in the US Open women’s final and thus won her first championship at Flushing Meadows. This is her third Grand Slam title.

To a certain extent, Roddick’s views about Sabalenka were correct. Her powerful serve and forehand flustered her opponent, who seemed rattled and also complained about the conditions created by the closed roof.