US Open: Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka is too good for Russian qualifier Polina Iatsenko
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka showed her impressive form at the US Open, securing a decisive victory over Russian qualifier Polina Iatsenko to advance to the third round and continue her quest for a third successive title.
Image: Belarus’s Aryna Sabalenka blows kisses into the stands after winning her US Open second-round match against Russia’s Polina Iatsenko, at Flushing Meadows, New York, on Wednesday. Photography: Brendan McDiarmid/Reuters
Key points
- Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka advances to the third round of the US Open.
- Sabalenka defeated Russian qualifier Polina Iatsenko with a score of 6-1, 6-1.
- The top seed aims to achieve her third consecutive title in New York.
- Sabalenka expressed her happiness with the performance and focus she provided during the match.
- She will next face Kamila Rakhimova in the third round.
Image: Aryna Sabalenka serves during her second round match against Polina Iatsenko. Photography: Brendan McDiarmid/Reuters
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka continued her strong run during the draw for the US Open Tennis Championship, as the Belarusian player defeated Russian qualifier Polina Iatsenko 6-1, 6-1, on Wednesday, to reach the third round.
Top seed Sabalenka, who is seeking to win her third consecutive title in New York to emulate Serena Williams and Chris Evert, did not waste much time asserting herself under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, winning the first set in just 24 minutes.
Sabalenka’s dominant performance
Photo: Aryna Sabalenka shakes hands with Russian Polina Iatsenko after the match. Photograph: Robert Deutsch/Imagine Images/Reuters
Sabalenka had great strength against Iachenko in the match, which lasted 54 minutes, scoring 24 winners and taking advantage of six of eight break-point opportunities.
“I am very happy to play in front of you,” Sabalenka told the cheering fans after her 16th consecutive victory in the tournament. “The night sessions here are the best.”
“I’m happy with my level, happy with the focus and happy to get through this match.”
Image: Polina Iatsenko rushes to the net to parry a drop from Aryna Sabalenka. Photography: Brendan McDiarmid/Reuters
She increased the pressure on Iachenko, ranked 160th in the world, at the beginning of the second set with her strength and accuracy. She broke serve in the first game and held on in the next game, with the finish line quickly appearing.
The 28-year-old player lost her serve in the fourth game of the second set, but the fluctuation did not last long, as she responded immediately to go ahead 4-1, complete the victory, and set up a match with Kamila Rakhimova.
