Sabalenka Extends US Open Streak to 15 as No. 1 Rebukes 'Partying' Questions

Q: Will Kamilla Rakhimova's recent momentum be enough to disrupt the dominant World No. 1's quest for another Grand Slam title?

Probably not, though Rakhimova has enough form to make Sabalenka work harder than her first two opponents did. The evidence still points strongly toward Sabalenka. She has opened this US Open with back-to-back straight-set wins, including a 54-minute 6-1, 6-1 rout of Iatcenko, and looks far more settled in New York than she did during her uneven European Slam run. She is also a two-time defending champion at Flushing Meadows, has an outstanding recent record at the tournament, and remains one of the clear title favorites. Rakhimova does arrive with some credible momentum. She came through her section in straight sets, has shown she can trouble established names, and recently beat Venus Williams in Toronto. Other recent form indicators suggest she has been competitive on hard courts and can pressure second serves, which could help her create openings if Sabalenka’s level dips. But the gap in pedigree, power and big-match experience is substantial. Sabalenka leads their head-to-head 3-0, according to available match data, and her current level on serve and from the baseline has been overwhelming. When Sabalenka is striking this cleanly, lower-ranked opponents often struggle just to hold ground in rallies. Rakhimova’s best chance is to extend points, attack Sabalenka’s second serve and hope to expose the lapses that hurt the world No. 1 earlier this season. Even so, based on current form and history in New York, Sabalenka should remain a clear favorite to advance.

3 articles · Updated · Tennis Now · Sep 3

15 straight US Open wins now belong to Aryna Sabalenka after a 6-1, 6-1 second-round rout of Polina Iatchenko on Wednesday night.
Eight games dropped across two matches underline why the world No. 1 dismissed suggestions that pre-tournament brand events in New York had affected her focus.
In a tense press conference beneath Arthur Ashe Stadium, Sabalenka called repeated questions about "parties" a joke, challenged the reporter's premise and twice demanded to move on.
The defending champion has opened her title bid with back-to-back straight-set wins and next faces Kamilla Rakhimova as she pursues a third consecutive US Open crown.