Key Takeaways:
- Sabalenka is back in dominant form.
- The US Open three-peat is firmly within sight.
- Her biggest test is still ahead
Aryna Sabalenka US Open 2026 campaign continued in dominant fashion as the world No. 1 defeated Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 in just 53 minutes on Wednesday night.
The two-time defending champion needed just 53 minutes to secure her place in the third round at Arthur Ashe Stadium, producing a dominant display of power and precision. From the opening exchanges, Sabalenka controlled the tempo with heavy groundstrokes and aggressive returns, leaving Iatcenko struggling to find a response.
Sabalenka raced through the opening set in only 24 minutes. She immediately put pressure on Iatcenko’s serve and repeatedly forced the qualifier into defensive positions. The Belarusian’s relentless hitting resulted in 24 winners during the match, while Iatcenko managed only three.
The second set followed a similar pattern. Iatcenko briefly broke Sabalenka’s serve, creating a rare opening in an otherwise one-sided contest. The world No. 1 responded immediately by breaking back and restoring her advantage before closing out the match without further trouble.
The result extended Sabalenka’s winning streak at Flushing Meadows to 16 matches and marked another significant step in her title defence. She has dropped only eight games across her opening two matches after beginning the tournament with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Colombia’s Camila Osorio.
The performance also highlighted Sabalenka’s efficiency. She converted six break points and won 21 of 28 points behind her first serve, preventing Iatchenko from establishing any sustained rhythm.
Aryna Sabalenka us open 2026 form shows strong response
Sabalenka’s emphatic victory comes after a challenging period in her 2026 campaign. Despite remaining at the top of the WTA rankings, the 28-year-old entered the US Open without having reached a final since her strong start to the season.
Her form had raised questions about whether she could reproduce the level that helped her win consecutive US Open titles in 2024 and 2025. She also arrived in New York with her position as world No. 1 under pressure from the players behind her.
The early stages of the tournament, however, have provided a different picture.
Sabalenka has looked increasingly comfortable on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows, combining her trademark power with greater composure during crucial points. Her straight-sets victory over Osorio in the opening round was followed by an even more emphatic performance against Iatcenko.
The Belarusian has also spoken about changing her approach to competition, placing greater emphasis on accepting mistakes rather than expecting perfection from herself. That mindset was reflected in her performance against Iatcenko, as she remained focused even after surrendering her serve in the second set.
The victory further strengthened Sabalenka’s impressive record against qualifiers at Grand Slam tournaments. Her latest win was another straight-set success against a player who had come through qualifying, and it continued her remarkable consistency in the early rounds of major championships.
Rakhimova awaits as Sabalenka chases history
Sabalenka’s next opponent will be Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova, who awaits in the third round. The match will be their fourth meeting, with Sabalenka holding a 3-0 advantage in their previous encounters.
The third-round clash is scheduled for Friday and will give Sabalenka a tougher test as she moves deeper into the draw. Rakhimova will look to disrupt the world No. 1’s rhythm and prevent her from dictating the match in the same manner she did against Iatcenko.
For Sabalenka, the larger objective remains firmly in sight. A third consecutive US Open championship would place her among an elite group of women’s tennis players. Only Serena Williams and Chris Evert have previously won three straight US Open singles titles in the professional era.
Williams achieved the feat from 2012 to 2014, while Evert completed her three-peat earlier in the Open Era.
Sabalenka now has five more victories to claim the title and join them in the record books. After two commanding performances, the defending champion has made an imposing start to that challenge.
Her 53-minute demolition of Iatcenko was not simply another routine victory. It was a reminder of the level Sabalenka can produce when her power, movement and focus come together. With the third round ahead, the world No. 1 appears to be finding her best tennis at precisely the stage of the season when it matters most.
