Defending Champion Sabalenka Advances US Open Third Round

Defending US Open champion and World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the third round after a hard-fought 7-6(7/4), 6-2 victory over unseeded Russian Polina Kudermetova. Sabalenka faced early challenges, including saving four break points and losing serve in the opening game, but recovered to clinch a tense first set in a tiebreak with a key crosscourt winner. Kudermetova struggled with a leg issue but briefly threatened a comeback before Sabalenka capitalized on errors to pull ahead decisively in the second set. Sabalenka, aiming to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to defend the US Open title, credited staying strong under pressure and improving her return game in the second set. With this win, Sabalenka secured a third-round match against 2021 runner-up Leylah Fernandez. The victory marked Sabalenka’s 30th US Open main draw win, reinforcing her status as a top contender at the tournament.