Sport · Singapore Bureau
Sabalenka cruises past Iatcenko to advance at US Open
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka overwhelmed Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko with a dominant straight-sets victory to progress to the third round of the US Open on Wednesday.
LSN Singapore ·
The Belarusian top seed dismantled her opponent 6-1 6-1 in a one-sided encounter at Flushing Meadows, continuing her commanding performance throughout the tournament.
Sabalenka, who claimed the title last year, has shown few signs of vulnerability as she marches through the draw. Her aggressive baseline game and powerful serve proved too much for the unseeded Russian, who struggled to find her rhythm against the relentless pressure applied by the defending champion.
The victory sets up a third-round clash for Sabalenka, who remains among the favourites to claim a second consecutive US Open crown. The Belarusian's form on hard courts has been exceptional this season, and her early-round dominance suggests she will pose a formidable obstacle for any opponent hoping to derail her campaign in New York.