Friday night at Louis Armstrong Stadium delivered not only top-tier tennis but also a heartwarming surprise that had more than 14,000 fans buzzing. Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 and defending US Open champion, faced off against Leylah Fernandez in a third-round clash that will be remembered as much for its off-court romance as for its on-court drama. As Sabalenka and Fernandez battled through a tense second set, the crowd’s attention was momentarily stolen by a fan’s bold gesture—a marriage proposal broadcast on the stadium jumbotron. The woman’s joyful acceptance, complete with a hug and kiss, brought a wave of cheers and applause that rippled through the stands, breaking the tension and adding a dash of delight to the evening’s proceedings.
Sabalenka, ever the professional, managed to keep her composure despite the sweet distraction. After her 6-3, 7-6 (2) victory, she was quick to acknowledge the unique moment. “It was a very sweet moment, but I was trying just to not start smiling,” Sabalenka said, according to Fox News. “Because it’s very cute, and I was trying to keep focusing on my game. It was a great moment, and as I said on court, I wish them a happy marriage.”
But the lightheartedness didn’t end there. Sabalenka, who has been in a relationship with Georgios Frangulis since April 2024, couldn’t resist poking a little fun at her boyfriend. During her post-match interview, she glanced over at Frangulis and quipped, “No pressure,” prompting laughs from reporters and fans alike. It was a playful nod to the evening’s romantic interlude and a reminder that even world-class athletes can’t escape the occasional nudge toward commitment.
Frangulis, a Brazilian entrepreneur and founder of the popular superfood brand Oakberry, has been a steady presence in Sabalenka’s corner throughout her recent successes. Sabalenka credits him with helping her navigate the pressures of the tour. “There was a really tough period where I was really happy to have him by my side, always cheering me up, always making sure that we are doing some fun stuff,” she shared earlier this year. While fans may now be wondering if an engagement ring is in Sabalenka’s future, the Belarusian star is keeping her focus firmly on her title defense at Flushing Meadows.
The match itself was a showcase of resilience and determination from Sabalenka. Facing the No. 31 seed Fernandez—a player who had previously beaten her in the 2021 US Open semifinals—Sabalenka was eager for redemption. “It was definitely an exciting match,” she reflected after the win. “Last time we met, it was a great battle. She played an incredible match, and I wanted this revenge badly, so I’m super happy with the win. She’s a great player, a great competitor and always brings you the fight on court.”
From the outset, the contest was fiercely competitive. Fernandez came out swinging, forcing Sabalenka to save three break points in an 11-minute, 20-point opening game. But Sabalenka held firm, flipping the momentum in the second game and eventually securing the first break after a Fernandez double fault. The top seed then closed out the first set with a series of confident holds, never letting her opponent wrestle back control.
The second set, which included the now-famous marriage proposal, was a tense affair with neither player yielding serve. Only one break point surfaced, which Sabalenka promptly saved to keep the set on level terms. When the tiebreak arrived, Sabalenka’s nerves of steel shone through. She seized an early mini-break, and after Fernandez briefly leveled, Sabalenka rattled off five straight points to take a commanding 6-1 lead. She sealed the victory with a cross-court forehand winner, notching her 20th tiebreak win of the season in 21 attempts—a staggering statistic that underscores her dominance in pressure moments.
This triumph marked Sabalenka’s first career victory over Fernandez, avenging her painful semifinal loss from four years ago. It also propelled her into the fourth round of the US Open for the fifth consecutive year, further cementing her status as one of the game’s most consistent Grand Slam performers. She’s now matched Venus Williams as the only active WTA players to tally 20 or more singles wins at majors in multiple seasons—an achievement that speaks volumes about her staying power at the sport’s highest level.
Sabalenka’s journey through 2025’s Grand Slams has been nothing short of remarkable. She reached the finals at both the Australian Open and the French Open, and advanced to the semifinals at Wimbledon. Her 20 major wins this season are more than any other WTA player, and she stands as the favorite to defend her US Open crown—a feat not accomplished since Serena Williams’ back-to-back-to-back titles in 2014.
Looking ahead, Sabalenka’s next challenge comes in the form of Spain’s Cristina Bucsa, whom she’ll face in the fourth round on Sunday, August 31. It will be their first meeting at tour level, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup. Should Sabalenka prevail, she’ll set up a quarterfinal showdown against the winner of Elena Rybakina and Marketa Vondrousova, both former Wimbledon champions. Interestingly, Sabalenka has recent history with both players, having defeated Vondrousova and lost to Rybakina at the Cincinnati Open earlier this month.
Despite the distractions and the weight of expectation, Sabalenka remains laser-focused on her ultimate goal. “The mindset is to go out there every time, bring the best fighting spirit and just fight for my dream,” she told reporters after her third consecutive straight-sets victory. Her blend of power, poise, and playful personality has made her a fan favorite—and moments like Friday night’s proposal only add to her legend.
As the US Open moves into its second week, all eyes will be on Sabalenka to see if she can continue her historic run. With her confidence soaring and her game firing on all cylinders, the defending champion looks poised to make another deep push in New York. And who knows? If the magic of Friday night is any indication, there may be more surprises—both on and off the court—still to come at Flushing Meadows.
