Sabalenka races through New York

Aryna Sabalenka barely slowed down in New York. The world No. 1 defeated Russia's Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 in just 53 minutes to reach the third round of the US Open.

Sabalenka, the 2024 and 2025 champion, is seeking a third consecutive title in New York. She has held the top ranking for 98 straight weeks, but Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina is threatening her position.

Iatcenko, ranked 160th, was making her Grand Slam debut after coming through qualifying. She reached the second round by beating Mexico's Renata Zarazúa in her opening match.

Sabalenka took control on return and finished the match with her sixth break, converting her second match point. She will play Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova, ranked 92nd, in the third round.

The result extended Sabalenka's winning streak in the second round of Grand Slam tournaments to 23 matches. She has not lost at that stage since the 2020 US Open. Her season has otherwise been difficult, with a defeat in the Australian Open final, a quarterfinal exit at Roland Garros, a fourth-round loss at Wimbledon, and early defeats in Toronto and Cincinnati.