US Open: Sabalenka demolishes Iatcenko before fiery exchange with reporter

The world No. 1 barely gave the US Open debutant an opportunity to settle, racing to a 6-1 6-1 victory over the 22-year-old Russian on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Sabalenka's pace and power proved overwhelming for world No. 160 Iatcenko, who managed just three winners compared with the top seed's 24.

Yet despite the one-sided nature of the contest, Sabalenka did not appear entirely satisfied with her performance or her mood during the match.

The 28-year-old is chasing her first Grand Slam title of the season after a campaign that has delivered plenty of success but has also featured a recent dip in form as she looks to rediscover her best tennis in New York.

Sabalenka's mood did not improve after the match, with the world No. 1 becoming involved in a tense exchange with a reporter during her post-match news conference.

She took particular offense at what she perceived as a suggestion that she had been attending "lots of parties" in the build-up to the US Open.

"What kind of question is that? Just because I posted some activities with brands, you think that I've been partying [and] not training?" she hit back.

Asked if she was "getting serious" now that the tournament was under way, she said: "Oh yeah, I wasn't serious before that. Next question."

In other results on Wednesday, third seed Jessica Pegula continued her bid for a maiden Grand Slam singles title with a comfortable victory over fellow American Sofia Kenin.

There were also straight-set victories for Wimbledon runner-up Karolina Muchova, two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist Marta Kostyuk and teenage American sensation Iva Jovic.

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