New York – In a display of power tennis, top‑seed Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the third round of the US Open with a swift 6‑1, 6‑1 victory over Polina Iatcenko. The match lasted only 53 minutes, underscoring Sabalenka’s renewed focus after a challenging start to the season.
Dominant performance
Sabalenka served 15 of 16 first‑serve points in the opening set and maintained a high level throughout, finishing with 21 winners on 28 attempts. She told reporters she was “happy with the level I played today, happy with the focus and happy to be through this match.” The win puts her on a clear path toward becoming the first player since Serena Williams (2012‑14) to win three consecutive US Open titles.
Other quick wins on the courts
Rain delays forced play onto the covered Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong stadiums, allowing matches there to continue uninterrupted. Fellow American Jessica Pegula also finished her first‑round match in under an hour, defeating Sofia Kenin 6‑3, 6‑1 in 56 minutes. Pegula noted, “To be out of there in under an hour, it doesn’t always happen, so I think I’m just going to take that one and run until the next round.”
Men’s competition saw No. 8 seed Ben Shelton survive a three‑set battle against Hubert Hurkacz, while No. 7 seed Daniil Medvedev advanced after a brief protest over a chair‑umpire decision involving two birds perched on the net.
Challenges and adaptations
The first round stretched into a fourth day because of weather, a schedule change that began last year when the US Open moved its start to Sunday. Players such as Alex de Minaur and Paula Badosa described the need to adapt to shifting match times. De Minaur, the No. 6 seed from Australia, said, “It’s been a couple tough days, but these tournaments are all about adapting and that’s the name of the game.” Badosa admitted she was nervous about resuming her match against Daria Kasatkina after a rain‑induced pause.
Looking ahead
Sabalenka’s win keeps her in contention for the No. 1 WTA ranking, a spot she must defend even if she captures the title. She acknowledged past struggles, stating, “I think I struggled a little bit in the middle of the season… I’m happy with my level. Mentally I’m way stronger than I was in the middle of the season, and physically I also feel stronger.” The Belarusian now turns her attention to the second round, where she will face the winner of the match between No. 16 seed Brandon Nakashima and American Alex Michelsen.
With the tournament back on schedule, fans can expect more high‑stakes matches as the field narrows. The US Open continues to showcase the resilience and talent of its competitors, offering a thrilling showcase of American sport.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
