NEW YORK — Aryna Sabalenka is wasting little time reminding the women’s tennis world why she arrived at the US Open as the player to beat.
The defending champion produced a devastating display of power Wednesday, crushing Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 in just 53 minutes to storm into the third round of the 2026 US Open.
The victory was a major statement from the world No. 1, who dropped only two games and finished with 24 winners, compared with just three from Iatcenko, according to the WTA.
Sabalenka’s performance was a sharp contrast to the more complicated opening-round match she played against Colombia’s Camila Osorio. She beat Osorio 6-2, 6-4 but had to withstand stretches of pressure before taking control.
Against Iatcenko, there was virtually no opening.
Sabalenka Turns on the Power
From the start, Sabalenka dictated play with her aggressive baseline game, repeatedly forcing Iatcenko onto the defensive.
The Belarusian needed only 53 minutes to complete the straight-sets victory, extending her US Open winning streak to 16 matches, according to current tournament coverage.
For Iatcenko, the match represented a dramatic step up in competition. The 22-year-old qualifier had reached the second round after producing her first Grand Slam main-draw victory, fighting back from the brink against Renata Zarazua in a three-hour, 27-minute battle.
But against Sabalenka, the breakthrough run came to a sudden halt.
The Bigger Prize: A Historic US Open Three-Peat
Sabalenka’s latest victory is about more than simply reaching the third round.
She is attempting to become only the third woman in the professional era to win three consecutive US Open singles titles, joining American legends Chris Evert and Serena Williams. Sabalenka won the tournament in both 2024 and 2025 and is now two matches into her title defense.
The stakes are even higher because her No. 1 ranking is also under pressure. Sabalenka entered the tournament needing to defend her title points, with other leading players in position to challenge her for the top ranking.
That makes every round in New York crucial.
Next Challenge: Kamilla Rakhimova
Sabalenka’s next opponent will be Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan, setting up another opportunity for the defending champion to move deeper into the draw.
While Sabalenka’s second-round victory was emphatic, the tournament remains packed with serious contenders, including Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula and Elena Rybakina. Reuters noted before the tournament that Sabalenka had endured a difficult stretch of form, making her powerful opening in New York particularly significant.
Sabalenka entered the US Open having not reached a final since her Sunshine Double triumph in March, adding another layer of intrigue to her title defense.
Now, however, the defending champion appears to be finding her rhythm at exactly the right time.
Two rounds are complete.
The three-peat chase is alive.
And after destroying her latest opponent in barely an hour, Sabalenka has sent a message to the rest of the field: if she continues hitting like this, stopping her could become a very difficult task.
WWC ONE MEDIA MJE
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