Sabalenka crushes Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 to reach US Open third round
Synopsis
Sabalenka needed just 54 minutes to dispatch qualifier Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1, running her US Open winning streak to 15 matches. A third straight title would make her the only non-American woman to achieve the feat — and would simultaneously shut the door on Rybakina, Gauff, and Pegula in the race for the world No. 1 ranking.
Key Takeaways
Aryna Sabalenka defeated Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 in 54 minutes to reach the US Open third round on 3 September .
Sabalenka struck 24 winners and converted 6 of 8 break-point opportunities.
Her US Open winning streak now stands at 15 matches ; she has won 22 straight second-round Grand Slam matches.
A third consecutive US Open title would make her the only non-American woman to achieve the feat, alongside Serena Williams (2012–14) and Chris Evert (1975–78).
Next opponent: Kamilla Rakhimova , against whom Sabalenka holds a 3-0 head-to-head record.
A Sabalenka title would end ranking challenges from Rybakina , Gauff , and Pegula .
Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 seed, dismantled qualifier Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on 3 September to advance to the US Open third round in New York. The ruthless 54-minute victory keeps Sabalenka firmly on course for a historic third consecutive US Open singles title.
Dominant Display in Numbers
The Belarusian powerhouse struck 24 winners and converted six of eight break-point opportunities, leaving Iatcenko — who reached the main draw through qualifying — with virtually no foothold in the contest. The clinical win extends Sabalenka's US Open winning streak to 15 matches, and she has now won 22 consecutive second-round matches across Grand Slam events.
Notably, Sabalenka's record at the US Open when she wins the first set now stands at an imposing 30-2. The last time she dropped a match in New York after taking the opening set was the 2023 final, when Coco Gauff staged a memorable comeback.
The Historic Treble in Sight
Should Sabalenka successfully defend her title, she would join an exceptionally short list of women to win three consecutive US Open singles crowns. Serena Williams achieved the feat from 2012 to 2014, while Chris Evert went one better, lifting the trophy at four straight editions between 1975 and 1978. Seven other players have fallen just short of the three-peat. Crucially, Sabalenka would become the only non-American woman to accomplish the hat-trick.
The achievement would also carry ranking consequences: a Sabalenka title would effectively end the hopes of Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, and Jessica Pegula of displacing her from the world No. 1 position.
Road to the Title: 2025 Season Context
Sabalenka's path to this point in the season has not been without setbacks. She was runner-up at the Australian Open, reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros, and exited in the Round of 16 at Wimbledon. The US Open remains the tournament she has built her calendar around, and New York has been by far her most productive Grand Slam venue.
Third-Round Opponent: Kamilla Rakhimova
Sabalenka's next opponent is Kamilla Rakhimova, against whom she holds a 3-0 head-to-head advantage. In those three meetings, Rakhimova has managed to claim just one set off the world No. 1 — that lone set coming on the hard courts of Washington DC. The other two encounters took place at Roland Garros, where Sabalenka dominated comprehensively. Hard-court form and head-to-head history both favour the top seed heading into the third round.
Point of View
Making New York her singular obsession. The ranking subplot adds a layer mainstream match reports tend to underplay — Gauff, Rybakina, and Pegula are all within striking distance of No. 1, but only if Sabalenka stumbles. The third-round draw against Rakhimova looks comfortable on paper, yet hard-court conditions at Flushing Meadows have a way of producing surprises. The real test arrives in the second week.
NationPress
3 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of Sabalenka vs Iatcenko at the 2025 US Open?
Aryna Sabalenka defeated Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 in 54 minutes on 3 September at Arthur Ashe Stadium, advancing to the US Open third round. Iatcenko had entered the tournament as a qualifier.
How long is Sabalenka's current US Open winning streak?
Sabalenka's US Open winning streak now stands at 15 matches following her win over Iatcenko. She has also won 22 consecutive second-round matches across all Grand Slam events.
Who will Sabalenka play in the US Open third round?
Sabalenka will face Kamilla Rakhimova in the third round. Sabalenka leads their head-to-head 3-0, with Rakhimova having taken just one set across all three meetings.
What would a third straight US Open title mean for Sabalenka historically?
It would make Sabalenka the only non-American woman to win three consecutive US Open singles titles. Serena Williams (2012–14) and Chris Evert (1975–78) are the only other women to have achieved the feat.
How does the US Open title race affect the world No. 1 ranking?
A Sabalenka title at the 2025 US Open would block Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, and Jessica Pegula from overtaking her at the top of the WTA rankings. All three are within contention if Sabalenka exits early.
