World number one Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the third round of the US Open on Wednesday, defeating Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 in just 54 minutes at Arthur Ashe Stadium to continue her dominant title defense in New York.
Aryna Sabalenka is making quick work of the competition at Flushing Meadows. Following a straightforward opening win over Camila Osorio, the top seed dispatched world number 160 Polina Iatcenko in a dominant straight-set victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium that required less than an hour of court time. Sabalenka overwhelmed her opponent with 24 winners while dropping only seven points during a runaway first set that lasted less than 25 minutes.
Dominant Run to the Third Round at Arthur Ashe Stadium
The pace and power proved too much for Iatcenko, who managed just three winners in the 54-minute encounter and looked a bundle of nerves in the biggest match of her career. Iatcenko composed herself to get on the scoreboard for 5-1 and immediately broke out into a relieved smile, though it was merely respite as Sabalenka held to love in less than 90 seconds to clinch the opening set. Despite only being on court for 24 minutes, Iatchenko decided she wanted a bathroom break to change her kit – but more likely for a mental reset than anything else. Sabalenka kept loose while she waited by practising her serves and maintained her rhythm as she surged a double break ahead for 3-0 in the second set. It was not all plain-sailing for Sabalenka as she lost serve in a sloppy fourth game, but reasserted her authority with two more breaks as Iatchenko was taught a harsh lesson. The Russian can console herself with the knowledge she has gained valuable experience against the world number one on the biggest court on the planet – and a bumper paycheck.
For Iatcenko, the defeat offered valuable experience on the sport’s biggest stage alongside a significant financial boost. Coming into the US Open, she had earned $300,000 (£220,000) in her career.
Navigating the New York Chaos and Prior Setbacks
Aryna Sabalenka first traveled to New York City as a teenager. On her first morning in the Big Apple, weary and jet-lagged, she rose just after dawn, her body clock telling her it was time. Unable to get back to sleep, she threw on some clothes and headed out the door of her hotel room just after 6 a.m., hoping to take a solitary walk in what she assumed would be a slumbering Central Park. I thought, ‘OK, it’s going to be empty, it’s going to be beautiful,’
Sabalenka recalled during a recent interview. I went in there, and everyone is running. It’s like thousands of people. I’m like … ‘What the hell? Does this city sleep at all?’ That was crazy.
At the time, Sabalenka figured she and New York weren’t going to get along that well. She’d grown up in Minsk, the capital of Belarus and a far quieter city in a country of just 9 million people — about as many people as there are in the city of New York itself. A decade later, though, Sabalenka, the world No. 1 and two-time defending U.S. Open champion, has become something of a New York tennis zen master.
Aryna Sabalenka said she is determined to look ahead, rather than dwell on a difficult past few months, after beginning her US Open title defence with a 6-2, 6-4 victory against Camila Osorio. The good thing for me is not looking back no matter what, if it’s good or bad, because I feel a good result can also stop you from performing well because you’re basically focusing on the past,
Sabalenka said. I never look back. If I win the tournament or lose the tournament, today is a new day, and I have to stay in the moment.
Sabalenka’s No 1 ranking is at risk after failing to reach a final for four months, with Elena Rybakina having a strong chance of taking top spot. Sabalenka produced a professional opening performance, serving well and overpowering Osorio from the baseline. She eased through the first set, and quickly rolled through the concluding three games of the second to close out the match. I had opportunities, I tried to step in,
Sabalenka said. She played great. She brought the fight and she battled really well, and I just tried to stay as aggressive as possible.
Broader Contenders and the Draw Ahead
Sabalenka’s path forward features familiar challengers as the women’s draw progresses. Sabalenka will next take on Kamilla Rakhimova in the third round. Rakhimova beat Oksana Selekhmeteva in straight sets in her second-round match.
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