Sabalenka starts her journey in the US Open with determination
Aryna Sabalenka has a lot to prove to herself and others at this US Open 2026. The Belarusian player has had a tough few months during which she seems to have lost her joy for competition and confidence in her tennis. She is aware that a player of her caliber cannot stay away from her best for so long and knows that this tournament is her last chance to claim that coveted Grand Slam to revive her season.
She did not have an easy debut, facing the always tough Camila Osorio, but the world number 1's performance was sublime. Sabalenka needs to accumulate on-court time with these feelings, aiming to emerge from the dark pit she has been in since winning the Sunshine Double, which has prevented her from meeting expectations in major tournaments over the past few months.
Sabalenka d. Osorio 6-2 6-4
Aryna gets her 14th consecutive win at the U.S. Open
Now won 20 of her last 21 matches here
She’s arriving low on confidence, but if anyone can play their way into this Slam, it’s the world #1
✅41st win of 2026
The quest for the 3-peat begins 🐅 pic.twitter.com/Qm3769KxHR— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 31, 2026
Sabalenka will face Iatchenko in the second round of the US Open 2026
The final score was 6-2 6-4 for a Sabalenka who will need to improve her serving consistency, but has shown a high level of accuracy and aggression with her forehand. Aryna already knows who her opponent will be in the second round of the US Open 2026, after Polina Iatchenko, ranked 160 in the world at 23 years old, defeated Zarazúa in a grueling match.
It will be this promising young player who stands as a new test for Aryna Sabalenka, who has high expectations at the US Open 2026.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sabalenka arranca con firmeza su camino en el US Open