Sabalenka extends tie-break mastery to reach US Open third round
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka sharpened her grip on pressure points by advancing to the third round of the US Open after defeating Polina Kudermetova 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 on Wednesday night in New York. The victory stretched Sabalenka’s remarkable tie-break run to 17 straight wins.
The opening set went to a decisive tiebreak, where Sabalenka pulled ahead and then carried that momentum into the second set, breaking Kudermetova early. Sabalenka’s serve was occasionally loose, but she battled through, saving two break points to move 3-1 ahead before pulling away.
Asked about her sustained success in tie-breaks, Sabalenka said, “I’m just trying to stay aggressive and fight for every point. I know every point can be a key moment of the set so I’m just trying to stay strong and play aggressive.”
Sabalenka remains in the hunt to become the first player to defend the US Open women’s singles title since Serena Williams in 2014. Her next challenger will be Leylah Fernandez of Canada, who was runner-up in 2021 when she lost to Britain’s Emma Raducanu.
Summary: Sabalenka defeats Kudermetova in straight sets to reach the US Open third round, extending her tie-break streak to 17 and keeping alive a bid to defend the title. She will face Fernandez next, in a match that could further shape her championship bid.
Commentary: Sabalenka’s ability to convert in crucial moments under pressure continues to define her season. Her improved second-set performance and willingness to stay aggressive in tight situations are notable factors as she moves deeper into the tournament, with a potential title defense on the horizon.