Aryna Sabalenka advanced past a determined Camila Osorio on 31 August 2026, securing a 6-2 6-4 victory in the first round and launching her campaign to become only the third woman in the Open era to claim three consecutive US Open singles titles.
The two-time defending champion has endured a notable dip in form since her dominant start to the year, when she reached the Australian Open final and won both the Indian Wells and Miami tournaments. Her grip on the world number one ranking has weakened considerably, with Elena Rybakina, the Australian Open champion, now trailing by just 434 points according to recent WTA rankings data. Sabalenka also risks finishing the year without a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2022.
Playing on Arthur Ashe Stadium, Sabalenka dominated the opening set but encountered resistance in the second, where her first-serve percentage dropped to 48% and she committed 12 unforced errors. She was forced to defend three break points at 4-4 before breaking through decisively and closing out the match in one hour and 28 minutes. According to the official match record, this marked Sabalenka's ninth main-draw appearance at the US Open, with the defending champion having reached the final in each of her last three visits to the tournament.
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'. 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.
What must Sabalenka do to retain the number one ranking?
Sabalenka's path to holding onto the top ranking has become precarious. When she won the Miami Open in April, she held a commanding 3,000-point advantage over her rivals. However, early exits at the French Open and Wimbledon—disappointing by her standards—have allowed Rybakina to close the gap dramatically. Sabalenka is defending 2,000 points at Flushing Meadows, meaning she must win the title and hope that Rybakina fails to reach the semi-finals to extend her 99-week reign as world number one. American contenders Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff could also claim the top ranking with a title triumph.
How does Osorio compare to Sabalenka's previous opponents?
Osorio, ranked 59th in the world, proved more resilient than her seeding might suggest, particularly in the second set. According to match analysis, Sabalenka had defeated Osorio in both of their previous encounters, though this was their first meeting on a hard court. The Colombian player's ability to push the defending champion into the second set underscored the competitive depth of the draw.
What historic milestone is within reach?
Should Sabalenka capture a third successive US Open title, she would join an exclusive group. Only Serena Williams and Chris Evert have accomplished the feat in the Open era. Williams last achieved consecutive US Open victories in 2014, making Sabalenka's potential achievement a significant milestone in women's tennis history. However, she will need to elevate her performance substantially to navigate a stacked draw in New York.
What happens next in Sabalenka's tournament?
Sabalenka will face Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko in the second round. Her early-round performance suggests she remains vulnerable despite her pedigree, and stronger opponents await as the tournament progresses.
Other notable first-round results
American Amanda Anisimova marked her 25th birthday on 31 August 2026 with a commanding 6-1 6-3 victory over fellow American Ashlyn Krueger on Louis Armstrong Stadium, where the crowd serenaded her with 'happy birthday' following the match. Anisimova, the 10th seed, was runner-up to Sabalenka at last year's US Open.
Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova advanced safely with a 7-5 6-1 win over American Katie Volynets. Karolina Muchova, who lost to Noskova in the Wimbledon final, demonstrated dominant form by dispatching Austria's Sinja Kraus 6-0 6-3 in just 58 minutes.
French Open finalist Maja Chwalinska encountered disappointment, falling 6-2 6-3 to American home favourite Taylor Townsend.
