US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka tipped for two big feats after getting over ‘meltdowns’

Aryna Sabalenka has been backed to win Wimbledon and become world No. 1 after taming her emotions and winning the US Open.

The Belarusian world No. 2 cracked under the pressure of losing the final to Coco Gauff last year – and was filmed smashing two racquets in the gym corridor afterwards.

This time she survived a mid-match meltdown to beat fellow American Jessica Pegula 7-6 7-5 before breaking down in tears under the roof of the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Sabalenka claimed her third Grand Slam title – and has now won 27 out of 28 matches in hardcourt Grand Slams in the last two years after also winning two Australian Open titles.

And 18-time Major winner Chris Evert said: “Sabalenka played the big points better. She is such a beautiful, wonderful athlete. It is not just power. It is her flexibility and tolerance. I am looking at Wimbledon. With that serve and return – are you kidding? She has got the game to win there. I think she will get that No.1 ranking soon.”

It has been a very tough year for Sabalenka, as the Florida-based Belarusian does not return home to her homeland – and her former boyfriend and ex-NHL star Konstantin Koltsov died in March.

She banged her racquet into the court in frustration after serving a double fault in the first set – and lost five consecutive games in the second set before regrouping to win the last four.

ESPN analyst Evert added: “We have seen meltdowns in the past but she is past that now. It has prevented her to winning other Grand Slams, her emotions and anger at herself