Aryna Sabalenka launches US Open title defence with straight-sets win over Camila Osorio

By SABC Sport
31st August 2026

Aryna Sabalenka began her US Open title defence with a straight-sets victory over Camila Osorio, beating the Colombian 6-2, 6-4 to keep her bid for a third consecutive title on track.

The top seed arrived in New York under some pressure following an inconsistent run of form. Sabalenka has not reached a final since winning in Miami and had suffered back-to-back round-of-16 exits in Toronto and Cincinnati.

She also squandered significant leads in Cincinnati, losing to Sara Bejlek after being 5-1 ahead in the first-set tiebreak and 4-1 up in the second set.

There were signs of frustration against Osorio as Sabalenka produced 23 unforced errors, including four double faults, but her 32 winners ultimately proved decisive.

The Belarusian quickly established control by breaking twice to move 4-1 ahead in the opening set. Osorio responded with a break of her own, but Sabalenka immediately regained the advantage and closed out the set 6-2.

Sabalenka then broke in the opening game of the second set, only for Osorio to level immediately. The Colombian had another opportunity to seize momentum when she earned two break points in the sixth game, but could not convert them.

That proved costly as Sabalenka secured the decisive break in the ninth game before serving out the match.

The victory extended Sabalenka's remarkable record of winning her opening match at Grand Slam tournaments to 24 consecutive occasions, dating back to her defeat by Carla Suarez Navarro at the 2020 Australian Open.

Sabalenka is also fighting to retain the world No. 1 ranking. Her 97-week stay at the top is under threat, with a failure to defend her US Open crown potentially seeing her fall as low as fourth.

She will next face world No. 160 qualifier Polina Iatcenko in the second round.

Sabalenka is attempting to become the first player since Serena Williams between 2012 and 2014 to win three successive US Open women's singles titles.

"Competition always pushes you for the better," Sabalenka said. "When there is someone chasing you or you have a target on your back, that just makes you stronger."