US OPEN – New York. By Leo Canaparo
Aryna Sabalenka opened her campaign at the US Open with a solid straight-sets victory over Colombia’s Camila Osorio, winning 6-2, 6-4 to begin her bid for another title in New York.
The Belarusian, who is chasing a third consecutive US Open crown, is attempting to achieve something that has not been accomplished since Serena Williams captured three straight titles at Flushing Meadows, ending her remarkable run in 2014.Sabalenka controlled the opening set with her trademark power and aggressive game, although Osorio raised her level considerably in the second. The Colombian put the defending champion under pressure and made her work hard for the victory, but Sabalenka remained composed in thekey moments to close out the match in two sets.
“Camila is a tough opponent, but I was ready to do whatever it took to get the win,” Sabalenka said after the match.
“I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the support. It was a fun but tough match, and I’m happy to get through in straight sets.”
The victory was particularly important for Sabalenka following a difficult stretch of results. Her recent form had raised some questions after she suffered early exits in her previous three tournaments, falling in the last 16 at Wimbledon, the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Open.
Those results have also placed her position at the top of the world rankings under pressure. Sabalenka could lose the No. 1 ranking for the first time since October 2024, with Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula all in contention to challenge her position.
Still, hard courts remain Sabalenka’s most successful surface. All four of her Grand Slam titles have come on hard courts, and her combination of power, aggressive baseline tennis and intensity makes her one of the most dangerous players in the women’s game.
Her opening performance in New York may be an encouraging sign. Despite the recent doubts surrounding her form, the defending champion has started where she feels most comfortable: on the hard courts of the US Open, where her powerful game has already brought her tremendous success.