Sabalenka Begins US Open Three-Peat Bid in Style

Aryna Sabalenka has taken the first step toward one of the rarest achievements in women's tennis.

The world No. 1 began her campaign for a third consecutive US Open women's singles championship by defeating Colombia's Camila Osorio 6-2, 6-4 on Monday at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The victory gave Sabalenka the kind of efficient opening she needed as she attempts to turn a challenging second half of the season into another memorable run in New York.

A Fast Start to a Historic Mission

Sabalenka entered the tournament carrying a target that goes beyond simply defending a Grand Slam title. She is attempting to win the US Open for a third consecutive year, a feat that would put her alongside two of the most accomplished champions in the tournament's history: Chris Evert and Serena Williams.

Evert won three straight US Open titles from 1975 through 1977, while Williams completed her own three-peat from 2012 through 2014. Sabalenka now has the opportunity to become the next woman in the professional era to accomplish the feat.

Her opening performance suggested she is prepared for the scale of the challenge. Sabalenka struck 32 winners against Osorio and consistently applied pressure from the baseline, using her power to prevent the Colombian from establishing long stretches of control.

Sabalenka Controls the Opening Set

The first set quickly tilted in Sabalenka's favor. Osorio surrendered an early break with a double fault, one of five double faults she committed in the opening set.

Sabalenka capitalized immediately. She moved into a 4-1 advantage and continued to dictate play with aggressive groundstrokes and precise attacking shots. Osorio briefly reduced the deficit, but she struggled to maintain momentum against a player who was striking the ball with considerably greater weight and depth.

A particularly effective drop shot from Sabalenka later left Osorio scrambling and highlighted the variety behind what is often described primarily as the Belarusian's power game.

Closing the Door in the Second Set

The second set was more competitive. Both players exchanged early breaks, creating the possibility of a longer contest.

Sabalenka, however, remained patient. Rather than forcing the issue, she gradually wore down Osorio's defense before securing the decisive break in the ninth game.

She then served out the match, finishing with an unreturnable serve. The celebration was comparatively restrained, reflecting the fact that the victory was only the beginning of a much larger assignment.

"I'm super happy with the level I played. I feel like this is one of my favourite stadiums, I really experienced the best emotions here on this stadium."

Sabalenka's performance was particularly significant because of the uncertainty surrounding her form coming into New York.

A Difficult Second Half of the Season

The reigning US Open champion arrived in New York after a relatively frustrating stretch of the season. Following her victories at Indian Wells and Miami in March — the Sunshine Double — Sabalenka had not reached another final before the US Open.

That stretch created questions about whether she could rediscover the level that carried her through the previous two US Open championships. Sabalenka, however, has played down the concern and emphasized the importance of focusing on the tournament in front of her rather than allowing recent results to dictate her mindset.

Her victory over Osorio does not erase the difficulties of the season, but it provides an encouraging starting point. More importantly, it demonstrated that Sabalenka can produce the high-pressure tennis required in New York when the stakes are enormous.

The Race for No. 1 Adds Another Layer

Sabalenka is not only defending her US Open title. She is also defending the world No. 1 ranking.

Three other players in the women's draw have a mathematical path to overtaking her during the tournament, meaning every round carries significance beyond the pursuit of another Grand Slam trophy.

That creates an unusual combination of pressure and motivation. Sabalenka must manage the expectations that come with being the tournament's top seed while simultaneously trying to accomplish something that only a handful of players have achieved.

What Makes the Three-Peat So Difficult?

Winning one Grand Slam is an extraordinary accomplishment. Repeating that success the following year is even harder because opponents arrive with a specific game plan designed around the defending champion.

Winning the same major three times in succession demands even more. It requires sustained physical fitness, tactical adaptability, emotional resilience and the ability to survive different styles and match situations over two weeks.

Sabalenka has already demonstrated that she can handle the unique conditions of New York. Her first two championships established her as one of the tournament's defining players of this era. The challenge now is maintaining that dominance while the rest of the field attempts to stop her.

A Tough Road Ahead

The first-round victory is encouraging, but the women's draw contains plenty of potential obstacles.

Sabalenka is competing in a field that includes several Grand Slam champions and elite hard-court players. Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka and other major contenders are among the names capable of making a deep run, while the draw also contains younger players who could create problems as the tournament progresses.

The significance of the challenge is reflected in the broader landscape of women's tennis. The 2026 US Open entered the tournament with multiple established champions and contenders capable of winning the title, making Sabalenka's path to a third straight crown far from straightforward.

Next Stop: Polina Iatcenko

Sabalenka's immediate task is much simpler: win her next match.

Her second-round opponent will be Russian player Polina Iatcenko. Sabalenka will enter that match as the clear favorite, but the three-peat pursuit leaves little room for complacency.

The opening victory over Osorio showed that Sabalenka can start quickly, protect her advantage and finish matches without unnecessary drama. Repeating that formula through the later rounds will be the real test.

The Bigger Picture

Sabalenka's US Open campaign is now officially underway, and the first result could hardly have been more reassuring.

The 6-2, 6-4 scoreline will not by itself determine whether she makes history, but it gives her something invaluable at the start of a Grand Slam: momentum.

The Belarusian's objective is clear. She wants a third consecutive US Open trophy and a place beside Evert and Williams in the tournament's record books.

For now, however, history can wait. Sabalenka's three-peat bid is being built one match at a time — and after the opening round, the defending champion has made a convincing first move.

Sources and Further Reading

• Reuters — Sabalenka's US Open three-peat campaign and first-round victory over Camila Osorio.
• US Open — Official report on Sabalenka's victory over Osorio and her title-defense campaign.
• US Open — Historical context and statistics surrounding Sabalenka's bid for three consecutive US Open titles.
• US Open — Background on Sabalenka's connection with New York and her pursuit of another championship.

Also Read: Iga Świątek Cruises Through to US Open Second Round

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