Sabalenka Storms Into US Open Third Round as Rain Continues to Disrupt New York Schedule
NEW YORK — World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka delivered a masterful performance at the U.S. Open on Wednesday, dismantling Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 to secure her spot in the third round. The clinical victory, which lasted just 53 minutes, served as a resounding message to the field that the Belarusian star has regained her peak form.
Entering the final Grand Slam of the year under a cloud of scrutiny following a series of early-round exits in previous tournaments, Sabalenka arrived in New York with something to prove. She looked every bit the top-ranked player in the world, displaying precision and controlled aggression that left her opponent with few answers.
A Flawless Serving Masterclass
Sabalenka’s dominance was built on a near-impeccable serving performance. In the opening set alone, she won 15 of 16 points behind her first serve, finishing the match having dropped only seven points on her first delivery.
“I’m happy with the level I played today, happy with the focus, and happy to be through this match,” said Sabalenka, who is currently vying to become the first woman since Serena Williams (2012–14) to capture three consecutive U.S. Open titles.
The Belarusian wasn’t the only contender making quick work of her opposition. Third seed Jessica Pegula also moved swiftly through the draw, dispatching Sofia Kenin in just 56 minutes with a 6-3, 6-1 victory. “To be out of there in under an hour, it doesn’t always happen,” Pegula noted. “I’m just going to take that one and run.”
Weather Woes Continue
While the top seeds enjoyed comfortable victories inside the protected environments of Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong Stadiums, the rest of the tournament has been plagued by persistent rain. The inclement weather has forced repeated suspensions on outside courts, creating a backlog that left some players waiting days just to complete their opening-round assignments.
The disruption has made the U.S. Open a test of mental fortitude as much as physical prowess. Spain’s Paula Badosa navigated the chaos to defeat Daria Kasatkina 6-1, 6-4, while Australia’s Alex de Minaur finally kicked off his campaign with a decisive 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 win against Andrea Guerrieri.
“It’s been a couple of tough days, but these tournaments are all about adapting—that’s the name of the game,” de Minaur said, reflecting on the stop-start nature of the schedule. “There’s too much to play for to let something like this affect you.”
By Wednesday night, tournament officials were finally able to clear the backlog of the first round, successfully navigating a marathon schedule that saw 25 men’s singles matches played in a single day. Among those punching their tickets to the next stage were heavy hitters Ben Shelton, Daniil Medvedev, and Karolina Muchova. As the second round progresses, the focus now turns to whether the tournament can stay ahead of the volatile New York weather for the remainder of the week.
