Aryna Sabalenka is back at Arthur Ashe Stadium, and she wants a third straight US Open title.
The two-time defending champion beat Camila Osorio 6-2, 6-4 in the first round Monday, beginning what would be a historic run if she can complete it. According to BBC Sport, only Serena Williams and Chris Evert have won three consecutive US Open titles in the Open era.
"I really feel my best emotions at this stadium so it means a lot to be back and have an opportunity for a 'three-peat'," Sabalenka said. "I'm trying to focus on myself. I'm enjoying my time in New York and I'm ready to go out here and do anything it takes to get the wins. I'm ready for the fight."
The match lasted one hour and 28 minutes. Sabalenka moved through the first set with little trouble against the 52nd-ranked Osorio, but the second set was more complicated. She landed only 48% of her first serves and hit 12 unforced errors. She also faced three break points before pulling away at 4-4 and serving out the win.
The stakes at Flushing Meadows extend beyond just a title. When Sabalenka won the Miami Open in April, she held a 3,000-point lead at the top of the world rankings. Early exits at the French Open and Wimbledon changed that picture significantly. Elena Rybakina, the Australian Open champion, now trails her by just 434 points. Sabalenka is defending 2,000 points at this tournament, meaning she will need to win the title and hope Rybakina falls before the semi-finals just to hold her 99-week reign as world number one.
American players Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff could also reach number one with a title. Sabalenka risks finishing the year without a Grand Slam singles title for the first time since 2022.
Her next opponent is Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko.
Elsewhere in the draw, American Amanda Anisimova turned 25 on Monday and marked the occasion with a 6-1, 6-3 win over compatriot Ashlyn Krueger on Louis Armstrong Stadium. The crowd gave the 10th seed, who was runner-up to Sabalenka at last year's US Open, a rendition of happy birthday after the match.
Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova advanced with a 7-5, 6-1 win over American Katie Volynets. Karolina Muchova, who lost to Noskova in the Wimbledon final, dropped just three games in a 58-minute win over Austria's Sinja Kraus. French Open finalist Maja Chwalinska was not as fortunate, falling 6-2, 6-3 to American Taylor Townsend.
Rybakina faces American wildcard Thea Frodin on Tuesday.
