By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, August 31, 2026
Photo credit: National Bank Open Facebook
NEW YORK—The rumbling of the No. 7 train roared in the background as Aryna Sabalenka turned her US Open opener into rush hour.
Driving Camila Osorio off the court with a crackling crosscourt forehand, Sabalenka pulled the string on a short dropper that left the racing Colombian flinging her Babolat Pure Drive at the ball in vain.
Disarming Osorio at times, Sabalenka started her US Open title defense scoring a 6-2, 6-4 victory on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Sabalenka struck 32 winners, including winning 13 of 16 net points.
Two-time US Open champion Sabalenka posted her 15th consecutive US Open victory. Sabalenka, who was runner-up to Coco Gauff in the 2023 final, has won 21 of her last 22 Flushing Meadows matches, improving to 35-6 in New York.
“Of course I enjoyed it,” Sabalenka said. “I missed New York. I’m super happy with the level I played, especially in the first set.
“It’s unbelievable. I feel like this is one of my favorite stadiums. I really experienced the best emotions on this stadium. It’ means a lot to have the opportunity to three-peat.”
Launching her quest for the first US Open three-peat since Serena Williams won three in a row from 2012-2014, Sabalenka broke early in both sets today.
The question is can the combustible Sabalenka, who has failed to reach a final in her last seven tournaments since defeating Gauff in the Miami Open final, find the calm and consistency that has largely eluded her in a summer that saw her bageled by Diana Shnaider in the last set of her Roland Garros quarterfinal loss and shocked by 20-year-old Czech left-hander Sara Bejlek in the Cincinnati Open round of 16 earlier this month.
Celebrating her 99th consecutive week as world No. 1, Sabalenka is also playing with the pressure of trying to protect the top spot from Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina, who rallied past her in the Melbourne final.
Leading 4-1, Sabalenka double faulted back a break in the sixth game.
Thirty-six minutes into the match, Sabalenka crushed a crosscourt forehand leaving Osorio sliding beyond the alley to flick back a forehand.
When Sabalenka followed dabbing a drop shot, a scrambling Osorio flung her Babolat Pure Drive at the waning ball in desperation.
Sabalenka disarmed the Colombian with power and placement breaking for 5-2.
On her first set point, Sabalenka’s serve-and-volley bid strayed long. On set point, No. 2 Sabalenka attacked and draw an errant pass serving out the 40-minute opening set.
The two-time champion served 70 percent and pumped eight more winners—18 to 10—than Osorio. The key was Sabalenka played with patient aggression and did not try to force flat drives into tight spaces as she did at the Cincinnati Open.
Though the 28-year-old Belarusian broke to start the second set, she flatlined forehands into the net to give the break right back in the second game.
Serving at 2-3, Sabalenka saved a couple of break points, flashed a forehand strike down the line and torched a crosscourt forehand to defuse drama and level after six games.
When the 59th-ranked Colombian made her first serve, she was in with a shot on points throughout the second set. When Osorio missed her first serve, Sabalenka often beat up on her second delivery.
A two-shot combination culminating with a blasted backhand crosscourt gave the top seed break point in the ninth game. When Osorio went all in on a backhand and missed the mark the Colombian hopped in the air throwing her head back in disappointment as Sabalenka broke for 5-4.
The top seed served out an 86-minute win on her second match point.
Four-time major winner Sabalenka will face world No. 160th-ranked qualifier Polina Iatcenko in round two.
“I’m trying to focus on myself. I’m ready to go out there and to whatever it takes,” Sabalenka said. “I’m ready for the fight.”
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