Aryna Sabalenka began her bid for a third consecutive US Open title with a 6-2 6-4 victory over Camila Osorio.
The world number one entered this year’s US Open in relatively poor form but Sabalenka always knows how to raise her game in New York.
That was once again the case in her US Open opener as she hit 32 winners against Osorio to move into the second round in New York.
Both of Sabalenka’s projected opponents in the first week both lost yesterday and this is a big opportunity for Sabalenka to set an early marker.
After the match Sabalenka admitted she enjoyed the atmosphere at the US Open and fed off the energy in New York, “Of course I enjoyed that, I missed New York! Of course I’m super happy with the level that I played, especially the first set, happy to get through this tough opponent in straight sets too,” Sabalenka was quoted by the US Open website as saying in her on-court interview.
“It’s unbelievable, this is one of my favorite stadiums, I really experienced the best emotions here. It means a lot to be back here and it means a lot to have the opportunity of a three-peat. I’m trying to focus on myself, to enjoy my time in New York and I’m ready to come out here and do anything it takes to get the wins, I’m ready for the fight.”
Sabalenka will now face qualifier Polina Iatchenko in the second round with potentially Kamilla Rakhimova awaiting in the third round.
In other first round action Cincinnati semi-finalist Sara Bejlek lost in three sets to Cristina Bucsa while Karolina Muchova cruised past Sinja Kraus 6-3 6-0 in 58 minutes.
Muchova is a former semi-finalist at the US Open and recently reached the final at Wimbledon where she lost to Linda Noskova.
Next up for Muchova will be Britain’s Katie Boulter but Boulter won’t be the only British representative in the second round.
There was a 3-6 6-3 6-2 victory for Harriet Dart as the qualifier overcame Peyton Stearns and will now play Marie Bouzkova next.
