Sabalenka makes quick work of US Open second round

NEW YORK (AP):

Aryna Sabalenka arrived at the US Open struggling for form and facing the prospect of losing the world No. 1 ranking.

Now, she is through to the third round looking every bit a contender for a third straight title.

The top-seeded Sabalenka overwhelmed Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 in just 53 minutes on Wednesday night, delivering a power-hitting performance that suggested her recent struggles may be behind her.

Sabalenka won 15 of her 16 first-serve points in the opening set and remained dominant in the second, finishing 21-for-28 on first serve for the match.

She is attempting to become the first player since Serena Williams (2012-14) to win three consecutive US Open titles. However, she arrived in New York after fourth-round exits in each of her last three tournaments and will need results elsewhere to remain atop the WTA rankings, even if she lifts the trophy.

But Sabalenka made it clear she has no intention of surrendering the top spot without a fight.

“Happy with the level I played today, happy with the focus, and happy to be through this match,” she said.

Jessica Pegula also advanced comfortably to the third round at a rain-affected US Open, where some players were still trying to complete first-round matches.

The No. 3 seed needed only 56 minutes on Wednesday to dispatch Sofia Kenin 6-3, 6-1. Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, had defeated Venus Williams in her opening-round match.

“To be out of there in under an hour, it doesn’t always happen,” Pegula said. “So I think I’m just going to take that one and run, I guess, until the next round.”

Other players may have to wait longer to advance.

For a second straight day, rain disrupted play in New York, forcing another suspension on the outside courts. Only matches under the roofs at Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium continued uninterrupted.

No. 8 seed Ben Shelton followed Pegula on Ashe Stadium and defeated Hubert Hurkacz 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (3), 7-5.

Meanwhile, seventh-seeded Daniil Medvedev moved past Sebastian Gorzny 6-3, 6-3, 7-5, despite a brief delay when he protested a chair umpire’s decision to replay a point after two birds landed on the net.

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz was scheduled to follow Sabalenka on Arthur Ashe Stadium.