Sabalenka opens US Open defence with 6-2, 6-4 win over Osorio
Synopsis
Sabalenka's US Open defence is up and running — but it was far from smooth. A 6-2, 6-4 win over Osorio masked 23 unforced errors, four double faults, and a second set that nearly slipped away. With her World No. 1 ranking on the line and no final since March, every round at Flushing Meadows now carries extra weight.
Key Takeaways
Aryna Sabalenka defeated Camila Osorio 6-2, 6-4 in the US Open first round on 31 August at Flushing Meadows .
The win extended Sabalenka's US Open winning streak to 14 consecutive matches and her Grand Slam first-round streak to 24 straight wins .
Sabalenka struck 32 winners but also committed 23 unforced errors and 4 double faults .
Osorio served 9 double faults ; her ninth at 4-4 in the second set proved the decisive turning point.
Sabalenka faces qualifier Polina Iatcenko in the second round; her World No.
1 ranking depends on defending the title.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka launched her US Open title defence on 31 August with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Colombia's Camila Osorio in the first round at Flushing Meadows, overcoming an inconsistent display to extend her remarkable record in New York. The match lasted one hour and 27 minutes.
Record Extended in New York
The win marked Sabalenka's 14th consecutive victory at the US Open and her 24th straight first-round win at a Grand Slam — a statistic that underlines her consistency at the sport's biggest stages, even when her level fluctuates. She struck 32 winners across the contest, though her performance also included 23 unforced errors and four double faults.
A Difficult Backdrop for the Defending Champion
Sabalenka arrived at Flushing Meadows under considerable scrutiny. The Belarusian has not reached a final since completing the Sunshine Double in March, and a run of losses from winning positions had fuelled questions about her form heading into the tournament. Her ranking is also directly on the line: she must defend the title to guarantee retaining the World No. 1 spot at the end of the fortnight.
How the Match Unfolded
The opening set was defined by serve troubles on both sides — three consecutive breaks of serve set the tone — but it was Osorio who struggled most, committing five double faults across her first two service games and allowing Sabalenka to take command.
The second set was a different story. Sabalenka broke early but immediately ceded the advantage as Osorio, ranked World No. 59, grew into the match. The Colombian mixed her game well, using net approaches, drop shots, and a well-timed lob to test the top seed. Osorio held two break points at 3-2 that could have shifted momentum decisively, but Sabalenka saved both and held serve.
The match turned at 4-4, when Osorio's ninth double fault of the contest gifted Sabalenka the decisive break. The Belarusian served out confidently, closing on her second match point with a service winner.
What Comes Next
Sabalenka's second-round opponent will be 22-year-old qualifier Polina Iatcenko, who earned her first Grand Slam main-draw victory in a gruelling 4-6, 6-4, 7-6[7] win over Renata Zarazua that stretched to three hours and 27 minutes. Whether Sabalenka can sharpen her level against a fresher but battle-tested opponent will be an early indicator of how deep her title defence can run.
Point of View
But Sabalenka's 23 unforced errors and a second set that nearly escaped her control are not the form of a player who looks unbeatable. The deeper issue is structural: she has not been in a final since March, and the psychological burden of defending a title while simultaneously protecting a No. 1 ranking is a pressure few players navigate cleanly. If her serve — four double faults today — does not stabilise, opponents deeper in the draw will be far less forgiving than Osorio was.
NationPress
1 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of Sabalenka's US Open first-round match?
Aryna Sabalenka defeated Camila Osorio 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and 27 minutes in the first round of the US Open on 31 August at Flushing Meadows. It was the defending champion's 14th consecutive victory at the tournament.
Who does Sabalenka play next at the US Open?
Sabalenka will face 22-year-old qualifier Polina Iatcenko in the second round. Iatcenko reached the main draw and won her first Grand Slam main-draw match with a 4-6, 6-4, 7-6[7] victory over Renata Zarazua in three hours and 27 minutes.
Why is the US Open particularly important for Sabalenka this year?
Sabalenka must defend her US Open title to guarantee retaining the World No. 1 ranking. She has not reached a final since the Sunshine Double in March, and a string of losses from winning positions has raised questions about her current form.
How did Camila Osorio perform in the match?
Osorio, ranked World No. 59, made the second set competitive by mixing her game with net approaches, drop shots, and lobs. However, she committed nine double faults in total, with the ninth arriving at 4-4 in the second set and proving the decisive turning point.
What is Sabalenka's Grand Slam first-round record?
With this win, Sabalenka extended her Grand Slam first-round winning streak to 24 consecutive matches — a record that reflects her elite consistency at the opening stage of major tournaments despite occasional form dips mid-season.
