Sabalenka races into US Open third round
Top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the third round of the US Open after a dominant victory over qualifier Polina Iatcenko. Sabalenka expressed satisfaction with her physical and mental form following recent struggles in the Grand Slam circuit.
Why it matters
As a top-seeded player and former champion, Sabalenka's performance is a major narrative in the ongoing US Open tournament.
NEW YORK - Top seeded Aryna Sabalenka cruised into the third round of the US Open Wednesday, crushing Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1.
Sabalenka slapped winners practically at will past Iatcenko, a 22-year-old qualifier in her first Grand Slam singles main draw.
"Night atmosphere is always the best atmosphere," Sabalenka said.
A four-time Grand Slam champion who has triumphed in New York the last two years, Sabalenka relishes the hard courts of Flushing Meadow.
But she has struggled in recent months, suffering disappointing losses at both the French Open and Wimbledon and turning in middling performances at hard court warmup tournaments ahead of the US Open.
But against 160th-ranked Iatcenko she raced to a 5-0 lead before Iatcenko managed to get on the board.
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