Defending champion Sabalenka extends US Open winning streak with victory over Rakhimova

Aryna Sabalenka’s march through the U.S. Open continued with a composed 6-3, 6-4 win over Kamilla Rakhimova in the third round. The two-time defending champion broke early on a hot morning at Flushing Meadows and controlled the opening set with her power and serve.

Sabalenka hit four aces and lost only four points on her first serve in the set. Play was briefly disrupted when a strong smell of cannabis reached the Louis Armstrong Stadium court and Sabalenka alerted umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore.

Rakhimova made the second set more demanding, pushing the top seed through several service games and saving four break points. Sabalenka eventually found the decisive opening with a powerful return, then served out the match in straight sets.

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It’s the first time I play morning session and it’s a full stadium, I’m so grateful, it’s a dream.

“It’s the first time I play morning session and it’s a full stadium, I’m so grateful, it’s a dream,” Sabalenka said on court. She later praised Rakhimova for pushing her to produce her best tennis and said she was happy to finish in two sets.

The victory gave Sabalenka 16 consecutive U.S. Open wins. She is trying to become the first woman since Serena Williams, who won three straight titles from 2012 to 2014, to complete a hat-trick of championships in New York. Her next opponent will be Taylor Townsend or Diana Shnaider, in a possible rematch of the French Open quarter-final she lost to Shnaider.

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She played incredible in the second set, pushed me so hard and motivated me to bring out my best.