New York, Aug 25: Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka moved into the second round of the US Open after weathering a challenging first set in her first match.
The No. 1 player took down Swiss player Rebeka Masarova 7-5, 6-1 on Sunday, but it wasn’t without struggle. Sabalenka went down a break early in the first set, keeping the two neck-and-neck until the defending champion was able to pull away from their 5-5 deadlock.
Sabalenka then dominated the second set, dropping only one game en route to her eventual victory.
“I feel like I didn’t start my best in the first games, but then I found my rhythm. Happy with the level I played today,” she said after the win.
She will face Polina Kudermetova in the second round. Sabalenka defeated her in their most recent matchup in Dubai in February.
Raducanu ends winless US Open streak
Emma Raducanu finally ended her winless rut at the US Open, earning her first victory at the Grand Slam tournament since taking the 2021 title there as an 18-year-old qualifier, eliminating Ena Shibahara 6-1, 6-2 in just 62 minutes.
“Of course, I’m very, very pleased,” Raducanu said, noting that it had been a while since she came out on the right side of a score in New York, “so it’s extra special.”
After her surprising championship four years ago, Raducanu lost in the first round at Flushing Meadows in 2022, missed the tournament in 2023, and again exited in her opening match a year ago. (AP)