NEW YORK – Defending champion Area Sabalenka moved to the second spherical of the US Open on Sunday after weathering her difficult first set in her first match.
The primary-placed participant defeated Swiss gamers Rebeka Masarova 7-5, 6-1, nevertheless it wasn’t with out a combat. Sabalenka took a break early within the first set and stored her two necks and neck till the defending champions have been capable of draw back from the 5-5 impasse.
Sabalenka then dominated the second set, dropping just one sport in direction of the ultimate victory.
“I really feel like I did not do my finest within the first sport, however then I discovered my rhythm,” she stated after the victory. “I am pleased with the extent I performed as we speak.”
She believed she helped the Arthur Ash Stadium crowd by means of that tight first set.
“I obtained that set level and also you cheered on me, and I obtained goosebumps whereas I sat,” Sabalenka stated in courtroom. “Your help means quite a bit to me, and I am very grateful.”
Since its inception in 2023, Sabalenka has received 59 main matches to steer all ladies. She goals to be the primary lady to efficiently defend an American open title since Serena Williams in 2014. This 10 consecutive wins open with out consecutive champions on the ladies’s facet. It’s the longest for the reason that match eradicated the 1912 Problem Spherical.
The three-time slam champion has skilled three of the 4 grand slams this 12 months with out a title.
Sabalenka will then face Polina Kudermetova. He grew to become the primary participant to advance on this 12 months’s match when his opponent, Nulia Pariza Diaz, retired after simply 4 video games.
Sabalenka defeated Kudermetova in a latest matchup held in Dubai in February.
In the results of different ladies’s singles on Sunday, Janice Tien defeated No. 24 Veronica Kudametova 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, who grew to become the primary Indonesian participant to win a serious match since Angelique Oyjaja at Wimbledon in 2003.
“Meaning quite a bit,” Tjen stated. “I am proud to have the ability to do that for my nation. Hopefully, the (my) look right here will assist to encourage extra… I consider that youthful youngsters will play tennis and they are often right here too.”
It is Emma Radkanu ready for Tjen within the second spherical. He received the primary match in New York since profitable the 2021 US Open title, eliminating Ena Shivahara 6-1, 6-2. Raducanu took simply 62 minutes to maneuver ahead.
2024 semi-finalist, USA Emma Navarro, confronted a troublesome opening set towards Wang Yafan, which lasted 76 minutes earlier than profitable 7-6 (9), 6-3, establishing a nationwide second spherical match towards Caty McNally.
American Jessica Pegra, who completed final 12 months at Flushing Meadows, confronted Maya Sheriff in her last match at Arthur Ash Stadium.
ESPN analysis and Related Press contributed to this report.
