Entering the tournament under pressure and facing the possibility of losing her world No. 1 ranking, the Belarusian appeared focused and composed throughout the contest. Her dominance was particularly evident on serve, as she claimed 15 of 16 points on her first delivery during the opening set. She maintained that high standard throughout the match, finishing with an impressive 21 points won from 28 first-serve attempts.
A dominant path to the third round
The victory marks a significant turnaround for the top seed, who arrived in New York following fourth-round exits in each of her three previous tournaments. Sabalenka is currently bidding to become the first player to secure three consecutive titles at Flushing Meadows since Serena Williams achieved the feat between 2012 and 2014. While her hold on the top ranking remains subject to other results, her performance on court suggests she is prepared to defend her position with intensity.
Reflecting on the match, Sabalenka expressed satisfaction with her execution. She noted that she was pleased with her overall level of play, her focus, and the efficiency with which she navigated the second-round encounter. Her progress has been remarkably swift, having dropped only eight games across her first two matches of the tournament. This performance ranks as the fourth-fewest games she has conceded reaching the third round of a major championship in her career.
Maintaining an unblemished record
Sabalenka’s victory also extended her perfect record against qualifiers to 16-0, a streak during which she has yet to drop a single set. This consistency highlights her ability to handle lower-ranked opponents with professional rigor.
Looking ahead, the top seed is set to face Kamilla Rakhimova in the next round. Sabalenka holds a 3-0 head-to-head advantage over Rakhimova, most recently securing a 6-1, 6-0 victory against her at the 2025 French Open. As she advances, the focus remains on her pursuit of a third consecutive title and her resilience in the face of a challenging season.
