Sabalenka advances to US Open third round after swift 53-minute win

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka moved into the third round of the US Open after a 53-minute, 6-1, 6-1 victory over 22-year-old qualifier Polina Iatcenko. The win, her quickest Grand Slam match of the season, came in the second round and positioned her for a clash with Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova.

Sabalenka said she was pleased with her level and focus, adding, "I'm happy with the level I played, happy with the focus and happy to be through this match." She noted that a title defense would help her maintain her position at the top of the rankings, which could be threatened if rival Elena Rybakina reaches the semifinals.

After the match, Sabalenka responded to a reporter’s question about attending parties before the tournament, stating, "What kind of question is that? Just because I posted some activities with brands, you think that I've been partying and not training?" She also replied sarcastically when asked if she was now taking the event seriously.

Iatcenko, ranked 160th, managed three winners compared with Sabalenka’s 24, and appeared nervous during her Grand Slam debut. Despite a brief service break loss in the second set, Sabalenka quickly re-established control and closed the match.

The win adds roughly $190,000 to Sabalenka’s earnings from the tournament. In other second-round action, third seed Jessica Pegula and fourth seed Coco Gauff both recorded straight-set victories, keeping their own title hopes alive.