Aryna Sabalenkova has her eyes set on a hat-trick at the US Open, but shaky form raises questions
Aryna Sabalenka comes to Flushing Meadows chasing something very few women in the Open Era have accomplished: three consecutive US Open singles titles.
The world number one lifted the trophy in New York in 2024 and 2025and a win this year would place her alongside an elite group of champions who have dominated the tournament for generations.
But for all the weight of history behind her pursuit, Sabalenka’s record books may not be the biggest challenge. It could be herself.
Belarus started 2026 in extraordinary fashion, winning Indian Wells and Miami to complete the Sunshine Double. She won 26 of her first 27 matches of the season and seemed to establish herself as a player to beat on hard courts.
Since April, however, the picture has changed dramatically. Sabalenkova is 17-7 in that span and has failed to reach another final.
Her latest setback came in Cincinnati, where 20-year-old Czech Sara Bejlek stunned in the round of 16 7-6(7), 6-4. Sabalenkova led in both sets but was unable to close out the match, a defeat that further exposed the vulnerability that had crept into her game.
CAN SABALENKA JOIN ELITE COMPANY
Sabalenka’s ambition is huge because success itself is so rare.
In the Open Era, Chris Evert and Serena Williams are the only women to win at least three consecutive US Open singles titles. Evert won four in a row from 1975 to 1978, while Williams completed her three-peat between 2012 and 2014.
Thus, Sabalenka has the opportunity to create a piece of history that would significantly raise her legacy at the US Open. She has already established herself as one of the most reliable players in the tournament, reaching at least the quarter-finals in each of the last five editions until 2025.
However, her path to a third straight crown looks a lot less straightforward than when she swept through early 2026.
Rick Macci, who previously coached Serena Williams, believes rivals are beginning to sense an opening.
— Journalist: “People always ask what happens when you don’t win tournaments and you looked frustrated in Cincinnati. Is there something wrong with your tennis?”
— Aryna Sabalenka: “Maybe there’s something wrong with people.”
pic.twitter.com/pMC2mu6EkK— Tennis Time (@Tiempodetenis1) August 28, 2026
“Sabalenka is playing differently than in the past. She’s further behind the baseline. She’s more on the back foot. She’s coming out of crosscourt lasers earlier than usual. Mentally, her confidence has been tested and the result is that the unbelievable belief we saw before is out the door,” Macci wrote on X.
“She’s always been emotional but she’s been able to regroup in 20 seconds. She can flip the switch but the ripple now is that other players see her hitting long and into the net and they feel they can pull off the upset,” he added.
This may be the biggest concern for Sabalenka. Her power never waned, but the conviction behind it seemed less consistent.
When her first strike failed, she looked more vulnerable to opponents willing to absorb the tempo and extend the rally.
SWIATEK, GAUFF, RYBAKINA ARE WAITING FOR HER
Sabalenka will have no shortage of players capable of exploiting these weaknesses.
Iga Swiatek has already rediscovered some momentum, ending an 11-month title drought by winning the Canadian Open in Toronto. The Pole is in the opposite half of the US Open draw, so the meeting with Sabalenko could come only in the final.
Coco Gauff is another obvious threat. The 2023 US Open champion enters the tournament with renewed confidence after winning in Cincinnati, and her athleticism, movement and ability to turn defense into attack make her particularly dangerous in two weeks in New York.
Another big question mark remains Elena Rybakina. The Australian Open champion was close enough to Sabalenka in the rankings to threaten the No. 1 spot, but her own US Open build-up was disrupted by an ankle injury she suffered during the Cincinnati quarter-finals against Swiatek.
She was forced to withdraw after five games and subsequently withdrew from the US Open mixed doubles.
The depth doesn’t stop there. French Open champion Mirra Andreeva, Wimbledon winner Linda Nosko, Jessica Pegula and two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka all have realistic reasons to believe they can achieve deep success.
The official draw itself reflects the uncertainty, with seven different women’s Grand Slam champions appearing since the start of 2025.
RANK #1 ADDS ANOTHER LAYER OF PRESSURE
Sabalenkova’s concerns are not limited to the US Open trophy. Her number 1 also came under pressure from Rybakina.
Rybakina entered Cincinnati with a chance to move to the top of the rankings, especially after Sabalenka’s early exit. However, her withdrawal against Swiatek ended that immediate opportunity, meaning Sabalenka retained her No. 1 ranking heading into the US Open.
Rybaka’s injury has since added another layer of uncertainty to the ranking battle.
This narrow escape could make New York even more significant. Sabalenka is defending her title, carrying the expectation of being the top seed and trying to match the feat last accomplished by Serena Williams in 2014.
The good news for Sabalenka is that she doesn’t have to reinvent everything. He needs to rediscover faith.
Her opening match is against Camila Osorio, with potential obstacles in the top half of the draw including Barbora Krejčíková, Diana Shnaider and Wimbledon champion Nosková.
Sabalenka has already proven that she thrives under the lights of Flushing Meadows. He has the strength, experience and Grand Slam pedigree for another deep run.
But the version of Sabalenka who completed the Sunshine Double in March looked almost untouchable; the one who gave up, leads and fell to Bejlk in Cincinnati looks significantly more human.
A third US Open crown in a row would put Sabalenkova in the historic club occupied by Evert and Serena.
But before she can chase down their record, she must first answer a more immediate question: can she rediscover the confidence that made her rivals fear her in the first place?
Where to watch US Open 2026 matches?
Star Sports Network has the broadcast rights for US Open 2026. Live streaming of the matches will be available on JioHotstar.
Top Women’s US Open 2026 seeds
- Aryna Sabalenka
- Elena Rybakina
- Jessica Pegula
- Coco Gauff
- Mirra Andreeva
- Linda Noskova
- Karolina Muchová
- Iga Swiatek
- Elina Svitolina
- Amanda Anisimova
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
29 Aug 2026 11:46 IST