Sabalenka cruises past Iatcenko at US Open, but tension lingers

Aryna Sabalenka dispatched world number 160 Anastasia Iatcenko in just 53 minutes at the US Open, though signs of strain were visible both on court and afterwards.

The top seed is no longer playing simply for another title — she must retain her US Open crown to hold off Elena Rybakina, who could still rise to world number one even if she only reaches the semi-finals. Sabalenka's early-season form made a fall from the top look unlikely: she reached the Australian Open final and won both Indian Wells and Miami back to back, with her only loss in 27 matches this year coming against Rybakina in Melbourne. Since then, however, her results have dipped to a 17-7 record with just one semi-final reached in the past five months. Ahead of the tournament, she admitted to dealing with unspecified issues that had affected her form.

After the win, Sabalenka pushed back sharply when a reporter appeared to suggest she had been spending time partying rather than training in the run-up to the US Open, calling the question unfair.

On court, Sabalenka's power proved overwhelming, finishing with 24 winners to Iatcenko's three. Iatcenko, visibly nervous in the biggest match of her career, managed to hold serve once and even took a bathroom break to change kit, appearing to use it more as a mental reset than a necessity. Despite the loss, the Russian earned $190,000 in prize money from her US Open run.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, third seed Jessica Pegula eased past fellow American Sofia Kenin, while fourth seed Coco Gauff also advanced, keeping both players' outside chances of reaching world number one alive. Straight-set wins for Karolina Muchova, Marta Kostyuk and rising American Iva Jovic continued a largely shock-free start to the women's draw.