Aryna Sabalenka Storms Into US Open Third Round

Top seed Aryna Sabalenka powered into the third round of the US Open on Wednesday with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko, extending her winning run at Flushing Meadows to 15 matches.

Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion and the winner in New York in each of the past two years, was in control from the outset against Iatcenko. The 22-year-old qualifier was making her first appearance in a Grand Slam singles main draw, but she found little room to settle as Sabalenka produced winners freely and moved rapidly through the contest.

The result sends Sabalenka into the third round, where she will face Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhhimova, who is ranked 92nd. For Sabalenka, the emphatic win also offered a strong early statement at the tournament where she has enjoyed her most sustained recent success.

Sabalenka takes charge from the opening set

Sabalenka established a 5-0 lead before Iatcenko was able to get on the scoreboard in the opening set. The top seed was especially secure behind her serve, dropping only four points on serve during the set as she claimed it 6-1.

Iatcenko managed one game in the second set after breaking Sabalenka, but it was her only breakthrough of the match. Sabalenka answered immediately, winning the next three games to close out another 6-1 set and secure her place in the next round.

The straight-sets scoreline reflected a dominant performance from Sabalenka, who had entered the US Open after a difficult stretch in recent months. The Belarusian had suffered disappointing losses at both the French Open and Wimbledon and delivered middling results in the hard-court warm-up events before returning to New York.

At Flushing Meadows, however, Sabalenka again looked at home on the hard courts that have brought her two consecutive titles. She said the night-session setting was particularly enjoyable.

“Night atmosphere is always the best atmosphere,” Sabalenka said.

Confidence returns at a familiar venue

Beyond the score, Sabalenka said she was encouraged by how she felt physically and mentally after the opening rounds. Her 15th consecutive victory at Flushing Meadows underlines the consistency she has built at the US Open, where she is seeking to continue her title-winning run.

Sabalenka said she felt mentally “way stronger than I was in the middle of the season” and added that she was feeling better physically. She also pointed to a change in her approach on court, focusing less on delivering a perfect performance and more on using the level available to her in each match.

“I’m happy with my level. I’ve been working really hard, but I feel like I’m moving away from trying to be perfect on court,” Sabalenka said. “I know that you cannot be perfect, and I’m just trying to work with what I have right now.”

Her next test comes against Rakhhimova in the third round. Sabalenka will take a decisive opening victory, a 15-match Flushing Meadows streak and renewed confidence into that meeting as she continues her US Open campaign.