Sabalenka Dominates Masarova in U.S. Open Title Defence Opener

World number one Aryna Sabalenka began her defense of the U.S. Open title with a commanding performance, defeating Switzerland’s Rebeka Masarova in straight sets, 7-5, 6-1, during the opening round on September 3, 2023. The match took place at the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, where Sabalenka showcased her resilience after a shaky start.

In the opening set, Sabalenka faced early challenges, dropping her serve due to consecutive forehand errors. However, she quickly bounced back, capitalizing on a double fault from Masarova to regain the break. Despite struggling with her serve—only landing 50 percent of her first serves—Sabalenka managed to close out the set by taking advantage of her opponent’s mistakes and finishing with a well-placed winner at the net.

Turning Point in the Second Set

The second set marked a significant shift in momentum. After experiencing some frustration in the first, Sabalenka found her rhythm and surged ahead as Masarova faltered, committing three double faults. This allowed Sabalenka to secure an early break, further consolidating her lead with a powerful second-serve ace. Although Masarova eventually held serve, the damage was done, and Sabalenka maintained control to serve out the match, marking her eighth consecutive victory at Flushing Meadows.

In her post-match interview, Sabalenka expressed her gratitude for the support of the crowd. “When I won that first set and you cheered me out, I got goosebumps. Your support means a lot to me, thank you for coming. It was an amazing atmosphere,” she stated.

Looking ahead, Sabalenka will face Russia’s Polina Kudermetova in the second round on September 6, 2023. “She’s a great player, nice girl, it’s going to be a fierce battle,” Sabalenka remarked, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting encounter.

Sabalenka’s strong start to the tournament reinforces her status as a formidable competitor, eager to defend her title and continue her impressive form.