Aryna Sabalenka says she focussed hard after trailing 1-3 in second set

Aryna Sabalenka during her round-of-16 match. Pic/AFP

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka led the way into the US Open quarter-finals, beating American Taylor Townsend in straight sets on Sunday to keep her bid for a rare three-peat on track.

Sabalenka rallied from 1-3 down in the second set for a 6-4, 6-3 victory. Sabalenka needed all of her resolve against the multi-faceted Townsend, whose blistering service returns and net prowess flummoxed the Belarusian star.

"I was like, OK, you're down the break just try to return the serve and put as much pressure as you can on her. I was just trying to stay focused on myself and play not only point by point, but ball by ball and I'm happy that I was able to turn around that second set," Sabalenka said.

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