Sabalenka cruises into US Open third round, then clashes with reporters over party questions
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka scored a dominant US Open second-round win, but the post-match press conference turned tense when she was again asked about her off-court appearances.
Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka needed only around 53–54 minutes (53 per Sky Sports, 54 per WTA) to beat Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday, advancing to the US Open third round.
The win extended the world No. 1's winning streak at the US Open to 15 matches in a row, dating back to the 2024 tournament. WTA also notes this was her 107th main-draw match win of the decade, second only to Iga Swiatek's 109. Sabalenka finished with 24 winners compared to Iatcenko's three and won 8 of 11 points at the net.
Tense exchange in the press room
After the match, Sabalenka was again questioned about her off-court commitments, including her frequent social media posts and appearances tied to sponsor brands. When a reporter referenced "parties" and "fun," Sabalenka pushed back sharply: "You guys are, like, a joke. Why would you even say that? Why would you even think about that?" She insisted that posting about brand activities did not mean she had been partying instead of training.
When the reporter clarified he was not suggesting she attends parties but rather referring to her many appearances and commitments, Sabalenka cut the exchange short: "OK. Move on." Asked whether she had become more serious and combative now that the tournament had started, she replied pointedly: "Oh, yeah, I wasn't serious before that. Next question. Think before you say stuff." According to Sky Sports, she faced a similar line of questioning after her first-round win, when she said she was tired of negativity directed at her.
Sabalenka, chasing a third consecutive US Open title that would put her alongside Serena Williams and Chris Evert, will face Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova on Friday, leading their head-to-head 3-0.
Other results
In the men's draw, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, continuing his comeback from a long wrist injury, rallied from a set down to beat Portugal's Jaime Faria 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2, extending his Grand Slam winning streak to 16 matches. Peru's Ignacio Buse won a five-set battle against American Marcos Giron, while Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas edged South Africa's Lloyd Harris in four sets. American Frances Tiafoe defeated Japanese qualifier Rei Sakamoto, keeping alive hopes of ending a 23-year wait for a home men's champion in New York.
