Aryna Sabalenka cruises into US Open third round, Frances Tiafoe advances

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenko continued her strong start at the US Open with a dominant win over Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko on Wednesday. Frances Tiafoe also booked his place in the third round, but had to work considerably harder against Japanese qualifier Rei Sakamoto.

Top seed Sabalenka needed just 48 minutes to beat world No. 160 Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Belarusian is seeking a third straight US Open title, a feat that would put her alongside Serena Williams and Chris Evert.

Sabalenka cruised through the opening set in just 24 minutes and immediately put Iatchenko under pressure again in the second. She broke in the opening game and held at love in the next, although the 28-year-old faltered briefly when she dropped serve in the fourth game.

Sabalenka’s setback did little to disrupt the rhythm as she came back to move 4-1 ahead before closing out another convincing win. The result extended her winning streak at the tournament to 16 matches and set up a third-round meeting with Kamilla Rakhimova.

“I’m very happy to play in front of you, night practices are the best,” Sabalenka told the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium after the match.

“I’m happy with my level, happy with my concentration and happy to have this match behind me.”

SABALENKA DEFENDS TITLE ON TRACK

Sabalenkova’s power and precision proved to be too much for Iatchenko, who struggled to hold on to the rally against the top seed. Belarus’ latest straight-sets win will keep her on course for an unprecedented third straight US Open crown.

The 28-year-old will now take on Rakhimova to take another step towards the historic goal in sight.

TIAFOE SURVIVES SAKAMOTO TEST

Tiafoe advanced with a 6-3, 7-6(2), 7-5 victory over Sakamoto at Louis Armstrong Stadium, keeping alive the American hopes of ending a 23-year wait for a home men’s champion in New York.

The world number 12 started perfectly with a break in the opening game, but Sakamoto repeatedly tested him with his strong serve. The Japanese qualifier fired 18 aces to take the second set to a tiebreak after Tiafoe produced back-to-back double faults as he struggled to close it out.

Tiafoe responded by winning four of the first five points in the tiebreak to take control. Sakamoto, who reached the main draw by defeating his idol Kei Nishikori, fought until the end but his 40 unforced errors proved costly.

After being pushed to five sets in the first round, the two-time US Open semi-finalist was relieved to finish in straight sets. Tiafoe will next face Kamil Majchrzak or Valentin Vacherot.

– The end

Issued by:

Debodinna Chakraborty

Published on:

03 Sep 2026 08:20 IST