Aryna Sabalenka Dominates Iatcenko at US Open
Aryna Sabalenka needed just 53 minutes to dismantle Polina Iatcenko on Arthur Ashe Stadium. She spent longer than that fending off a line of questioning she clearly felt had crossed a line.
The world No 1, chasing a third straight US Open crown, crushed the Russian qualifier 6-1 6-1, extending her New York winning run to 16 matches. On court, she looked as ruthless as ever. Off it, she bristled.
Sabalenka snaps back
Sabalenka, a prominent face for several brands and a regular on social media, was again pressed about her off-court commitments after the match, having already fielded similar questions following her first-round win.
This time, she cut the exchange short.
"You guys are, like, a joke," she shot back when asked if “parties” and “fun” had affected her preparation.
"Parties, fun. Like, why would you even say that? Why would you even think about that? What kind of question is that?
"Just because I posted, like, some activities with brands, and you think that I've been partying, not training? The question, like, what is that?"
When the reporter tried to clarify – "I'm saying that there are a lot of events and things like that. I'm not saying you go to the parties" – Sabalenka cut him off: "You literally said that. Next question."
The reporter then added: "For everyone who is unclear, I'm not suggesting that Aryna is having fun at these parties."
"Thanks, yeah," Sabalenka replied, dryly.
"I'm saying that she makes a lot of appearances and there's a lot to do and lots of events, OK?" the reporter continued.
"OK. Move on," came the answer.
The tone did not soften with the next question, which suggested she had become “quite serious and combative” now that the tournament had started.
"Oh, yeah, I wasn't serious before that," Sabalenka replied. "Next question. Think before you say stuff."
On court, there was nothing frivolous about her performance. The two-time defending champion barely gave Iatcenko a foothold, dictating from the baseline and closing out yet another brisk win on Ashe. She now faces Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova on Friday, aiming for a 17th consecutive victory at Flushing Meadows and a slice of history alongside Serena Williams and Chris Evert.
Alcaraz turns the screw
If Sabalenka’s evening was straightforward between the lines, Carlos Alcaraz’s start was anything but.
The defending men’s champion dropped the opening set to Portugal’s Jaime Faria, then tore through the match with the kind of surge that has become his signature in the Slams. Alcaraz recovered to win 4-6 6-0 6-3 6-2, his comeback from a long wrist layoff gathering real force.
From 4-6 down, he rattled off eight straight games, suffocating Faria with pace and variety. Once he found his timing, the contest flipped.
"After that I just tried to be focused, tried to stay calm and I'm thinking that good things are going to happen again," Alcaraz said. He is now on a 16-match winning streak in Grand Slam tournaments, his authority growing with every round.
Buse revives a family story
On Court Six, another storyline unfolded far from the glare of Ashe, but with its own sense of history.
Peruvian Ignacio Buse, the 32nd seed, battled past American Marcos Giron 3-6 6-3 6-3 6-7(6) 6-1 in three hours and 48 minutes, sealing his maiden US Open victory. The win carried extra weight: he became the first member of his family to triumph at the tournament since his grandfather did so back in 1958.
Buse finished the marathon with a crisp backhand volley, drawing loud cheers from his team and the pockets of fans who had stayed with him through the swings of a five-setter.
"It's difficult to find the calm in those situations, but in the fifth set, I just tried to recover mentally," he said. "It's a mental battle out there. I just stayed calm. It's a very special moment."
Tsitsipas, Tiafoe dig in
Stefanos Tsitsipas also had to grind. The Greek, who had stunned 10th seed Arthur Fils in the first round, found himself a set down to South Africa's big-hitting Lloyd Harris. He steadied, tightened up his service games and edged the key moments to win 6-7 (1-7) 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-4.
The third set proved pivotal. Tsitsipas raised his level in the tiebreak, then rode that momentum to close out the fourth, booking a third-round clash with Czech 18th seed Jiri Lehecka.
American hopes, so often burdened at this tournament, remain alive through Frances Tiafoe. The 11th seed took care of business against Japanese qualifier Rei Sakamoto, winning 6-3 7-6 (7-2) 7-5.
It was not a procession, but Tiafoe’s composure in the key points kept him clear, and with it, the United States’ 23-year wait for a home men’s champion in New York stays in focus.
Sabalenka hunts a three-peat. Alcaraz chases another statement fortnight. The challengers scrap and survive around them. New York is only just settling into its rhythm, but the sport’s sharpest edges are already out.
