World number one Aryna Sabalenka underlined her reputation as a tie-break specialist after powering into the US Open third round with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 victory in Wednesday’s night session. The 27-year-old Belarusian has now won 17 consecutive tie-breaks, with her ability to rise in key moments once again proving decisive against her Russian opponent. After edging a tight opener, Sabalenka’s confidence surged, enabling her to break early in the second set before accelerating towards a comfortable win despite a few nervy service games.
Reflecting on her tie-break dominance, the three-time Grand Slam champion said her approach has been built on aggression and resilience. “I know every point can be a key moment of the set so I’m just trying to stay strong and play aggressive,” Sabalenka explained. The reigning champion is bidding to become the first woman to defend the US Open singles title since Serena Williams achieved the feat in 2014. Her next challenge will be Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, the 2021 runner-up who lost to Emma Raducanu in that year’s final.
Meanwhile, last year’s finalist Jessica Pegula cruised into the third round with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Russia’s Anna Blinkova in just 65 minutes. The American fourth seed struck 30 winners and dominated the opening set before a more competitive second saw both players trade breaks. Pegula ultimately regained control to seal victory and set up a high-profile clash with former world number one Victoria Azarenka, who dispatched Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-3, 6-3. Pegula will be seeking to rediscover her consistency after falling short of the quarter-finals in all three majors earlier this year.
Elsewhere, rising Russian star Mirra Andreeva, seeded fifth, continued her rapid progress with a commanding 6-1, 6-3 win over Anastasia Potapova. Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, a finalist at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon earlier this season, advanced with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over American teenager Iva Jovic. Ninth seed Elena Rybakina was made to work harder, surviving a tense second-set tie-break before defeating Czech qualifier Tereza Valentova 6-3, 7-6 (9-7) to book a mouthwatering showdown with Britain’s Emma Raducanu.
American 10th seed Emma Navarro also impressed, sweeping aside compatriot Caty McNally 6-2, 6-1. Navarro’s reward is a third-round clash with 2021 Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova, who eased past Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima 6-4, 6-2. With Sabalenka, Pegula, Rybakina, and Raducanu all safely through, the women’s draw is shaping up for several blockbuster encounters as the tournament heads into the business end of the opening week.
