Defending US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka took another confident step in her title defense, defeating Russia’s Polina Kudermetova 7-6(4), 6-2 to advance to the third round. Kudermetova started aggressively, capitalizing on Sabalenka’s early unforced errors to keep the opening set tight. The world No. 1 was pushed into a tense tiebreak, but when it mattered most, Sabalenka’s power and ability to dictate points shone through. 

She secured the breaker 7-4, letting out a roar of relief as the Arthur Ashe crowd applauded the intensity of the contest. In the second set, Sabalenka raised her level considerably. With booming serves, deep groundstrokes, and total control from the baseline, she shut down any hopes of a Kudermetova comeback, sealing the set 6-2 in just over thirty minutes.

The Belarusian finished with 29 winners compared to Kudermetova’s 16, a clear reflection of her dominance once she settled into her rhythm. Speaking after the match, Sabalenka admitted the start had been trickier than expected but stressed that she managed to keep her composure in the crucial moments.

“The key was staying focused and patient. She played really well, but I found my best tennis when it mattered most,” Sabalenka said. With this win, the defending champion continues to establish herself as one of the leading contenders to lift the trophy again and solidify her reign at the top of women’s tennis.