Set to face American Emma Navarro in front of the US Open’s boisterous home fans, Aryna Sabalenka jokingly sought to peel off some of that partisan support by offering them a round of drinks if they cheered for her in Thursday’s semi-final.

Sabalenka has had an up-and-down relationship with the Flushing Meadows crowds over the years, calling them out for a lack of support during last year’s final against home favourite Coco Gauff before shedding tears at the trophy ceremony.

After her win over Qinwen Zheng on Tuesday, the Belarusian was asked how she might get the home fans on her side against Navarro at Arthur Ashe Stadium. “Drinks on me tonight?” said Sabalenka.

“Drinks on me and please give me some support in the next match,” she added, as the crowd clapped and cheered.

Sabalenka has reached at least the quarter-final stage of the last eight grand slams she has played in and is in the last four of the US Open for the fourth year in a row.

Those deep runs have left her better equipped to handle the pressure at the business-end of the majors.

“Before, when you are just coming up on tour, like for you making the second week, it’s something crazy. Nowadays I’m just trying to take it easy.”