US Open: Aryna Sabalenka Storms Into Third Round, Frances Tiafoe Also Advances

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka powered into the third round of the US Open on Wednesday with a commanding straight-sets victory over Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko.

While Frances Tiafoe also advanced after overcoming a tough challenge from Japan’s Rei Sakamoto. Top-seeded Sabalenka needed only 48 minutes to dispatch world No. 160 Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 in a night session at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Belarusian, bidding for an unprecedented third consecutive US Open title, raced through the opening set in just 24 minutes.

Although Iatcenko managed to break Sabalenka early in the second set, the 28-year-old quickly regained control, breaking back immediately before wrapping up another emphatic win. Sabalenka has now won 16 consecutive matches at Flushing Meadows.

She will meet Kamilla Rakhimova in the third round as her bid for a historic title hat-trick continues.

“Super happy to play in front of you. The night sessions here are the best,” Sabalenka told the crowd after the match. “I’m happy with my level, happy with the focus and happy to be through this match.”

Tiafoe faced a much tougher test against qualifier Sakamoto but eventually prevailed 6-3, 7-6(2), 7-5 at Louis Armstrong Stadium.

The American made an early breakthrough but was repeatedly challenged by Sakamoto’s powerful serve. The Japanese qualifier struck 18 aces and forced a second-set tiebreak, but Tiafoe dominated the breaker and took a two-set lead.

Sakamoto continued to fight in the third set, but 40 unforced errors ultimately proved costly. Tiafoe, who had been pushed to five sets in the opening round, closed out the match in straight sets to keep his campaign alive.

The 12th seed will next face either Kamil Majchrzak or Valentin Vacherot in the third round.