Aryna Sabalenka continued her pursuit of a third successive US Open title with a controlled straight-sets victory over Kamilla Rakhimova in Friday’s third round at Flushing Meadows.
The two-time defending champion won 6–3, 6–4 at Louis Armstrong Stadium, stretching her winning run at the season’s final Grand Slam to 16 matches.
Sabalenka established control early in the opening set and protected her serve throughout. According to Reuters’ September 4 match report, she struck 10 aces, faced no break points and lost only four points behind her first serve.
Rakhimova offered stronger resistance in the second set and saved four break points, but Sabalenka eventually secured the decisive break before serving out the match.
The result moved the Belarusian into the last 16 without dropping a set. She is seeking a fifth Grand Slam singles title and a third consecutive championship in New York.
No woman has completed a US Open three-peat since Serena Williams won the tournament in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Sabalenka’s current run therefore places her within reach of a rare achievement in the professional era, although four more victories would still be required to retain the title.
Sabalenka will face American Taylor Townsend in the fourth round. Townsend advanced by beating 15th seed Diana Shnaider 6–2, 6–7(3), 6–3, as recorded in Reuters’ day-six tournament report.
The matchup will give Sabalenka another test against a home player backed by the New York crowd as the top seed’s title defence enters the second week.
