Sabalenka storms into US Open 2026 fourth round, beats Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4
Synopsis
Aryna Sabalenka made the 2026 US Open third round look routine — four aces, zero double faults, and 81% first-serve points won in a 35-minute opening set. The two-time defending champion has now reached the fourth round at Flushing Meadows five years running, and her path to a historic third straight title is very much intact.
Key Takeaways
Aryna Sabalenka defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4 in the 2026 US Open third round on 4 September at Louis Armstrong Stadium .
Sabalenka has now reached the fourth round at the US Open for five consecutive years .
She recorded four aces , zero double faults , and won 81% of first-serve points in the first set, which lasted just 35 minutes .
Rakhimova, ranked No.
27 seed Barbora Krejcikova in the first round but could not repeat the feat.
Sabalenka next faces the winner between Taylor Townsend and No.
15 seed Diana Shnaider .
Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka continued her commanding run at the 2026 US Open, dispatching Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4 in the women's singles third round at Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York on Friday, 4 September. The top seed advances to the fourth round for the fifth consecutive year at Flushing Meadows.
Dominant Serving Seals the First Set
Sabalenka broke early to lead 2-1 and never looked back in the opening set, closing it out in just 35 minutes. Her serving numbers were near-flawless: four aces, zero double faults, and 81% of points won behind her first serve. Crucially, she never faced a single break point in the set.
World No. 92 Rakhimova, the 25-year-old from Uzbekistan, showed resolve when trailing 5-3, holding serve with a mix of counterpunching and shot variety. But it was too little, too late against Sabalenka's power game.
Rakhimova's Threat and Head-to-Head History
Rakhimova had arrived at this match with a notable scalp already in her pocket — she had eliminated two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova, seeded No. 27, in straight sets in the first round. That result underlined that she was no easy opponent.
Historically, however, Sabalenka has had Rakhimova's number. The top seed has won all three of their prior meetings — twice in straight sets at the French Open in 2023 and 2025, and once in three sets at Washington D.C. in 2024 on hard courts. Friday's result extended that dominance.
Measured Build-Up Heading Into Week Two
Coming into Day 6, Sabalenka had been barely tested. Across her first two matches, she dropped just eight games total, spending only two hours and 35 minutes on court. The third-round clash with Rakhimova offered slightly more resistance, but the defending champion remained in full control throughout.
Notably, this is the fifth straight year Sabalenka has reached the fourth round at the US Open, a run that underscores her consistency on the hard courts of New York — the venue where she claimed back-to-back titles.
What's Next for Sabalenka
Sabalenka will face the winner of the third-round contest between American Taylor Townsend and No. 15 seed Diana Shnaider in the fourth round. A potential quarterfinal run would put the top seed on course for an unprecedented third consecutive US Open title.
Point of View
She is conserving energy at precisely the right time. The real question is whether any player in the bottom half of the draw can genuinely test her before the final — and right now, the draw offers no obvious answer.
NationPress
5 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the score in Sabalenka vs Rakhimova at the 2026 US Open?
Aryna Sabalenka defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4 in the women's singles third round of the 2026 US Open at Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York on 4 September. The match was completed comfortably by the top seed.
How many consecutive years has Sabalenka reached the US Open fourth round?
Sabalenka has now reached the fourth round at the US Open for five consecutive years. The two-time defending champion has been a model of consistency at Flushing Meadows on hard courts.
Who does Sabalenka play next at the 2026 US Open?
Sabalenka will face the winner of the third-round match between American Taylor Townsend and No. 15 seed Diana Shnaider in the fourth round.
How did Rakhimova perform at the 2026 US Open before facing Sabalenka?
Rakhimova had a strong start to the tournament, upsetting two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova, seeded No. 27, in straight sets in the first round. However, she could not replicate that form against the top seed.
What is Sabalenka's head-to-head record against Rakhimova?
Sabalenka leads their head-to-head 4-0 after Friday's result, having previously beaten Rakhimova twice in straight sets at the French Open in 2023 and 2025, and once in three sets at Washington D.C. in 2024.
