Aryna Sabalenka began her quest for a third straight title at the US Open as she dominated Camila Osorio 6-2, 6-4 on Monday to reach the second round as the top seed strives to find her best level at the last major of the season,
Sabalenka has disappointed by her elite standards at the other three majors, finishing Australian Open runner-up but failing in the Roland Garros quarters and the fourth round at Wimbledon last month.
“The good thing for me is not looking back no matter if it’s good or bad,” she said. “I feel a good result can also stop you from performing well because you’re basically focusing on the past.
“If I win the tournament or lose the tournament, for me today is a new day and I have to be focused just staying in the moment.”
The 28-year-old was tested in the second set by her Colombian opponent who has reached the third round of a Grand Slam only once in 22 appearances. .
Sabalenka posted her 14th consecutive match in New York, taking 87 minutes and benefiting from nine Osorio double-faults.
“I think I played great, I’m happy with my performance. She’s a tough opponent, makes you work really hard to get every point.
“So I’m happy that I was able to close the match in straight sets.”
Cincinnati semi-finalist Sara Bejlek, who knocked Sabalenka out of that event, lost her opener here 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 to Spain’s Cristina Busca.
2025 runner-up Amanda Anisimova, who turned 25 on Monday, celebrated by hammering US compatriot Ashlyn Krueger 6-1, 6-3.
One time Open semi-finalist Emma Navarro completed a defeat of Lois Boisson 7-6 (6), 6-7 (1), 6-3 after the match was stopped for rain overnight. Boisson only headed to the locker room after destroying a racquet in frustration.
Former Roland Garros junior champion Lilli Tagger needed a late escape against Tamara Korpatsch, with the Austrian who lives a few kilometres into Austria from Jannik Sinner’s family home in the Alps, leading 6-0, 4-0.
But her German opponent forced Tagger to save two set points before Tagger put away victory in a tiebreaker.
Paris Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen won a battle of qualifiers over 16-year-old Kristina Liutova 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, leaving her opponent in tears before the crowd consoled her with cheers.
Zheng once stood fourth but is coming back on No. 121 after surgery.
