Sabalenka Advances to US Open Third Round After Victory Over Kudermetova

NEW YORK: Aryna Sabalenka, the world’s top-ranked player, overcame a shaky start to defeat Polina Kudermetova of Russia in straight sets, securing her place in the third round of the US Open. The match concluded with a score of 7-6(4), 6-2 at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday.

The Belarusian athlete faced an early challenge, conceding her serve in the opening game to Kudermetova, who is ranked 67th globally.

However, Sabalenka regrouped, defended against further breaks, and ultimately triumphed in a tightly contested first-set tiebreak, shifting the momentum in her favor with a remarkable crosscourt shot.

In the subsequent set, the world’s leading player asserted control, sealing the victory to progress to the next stage of the competition.

Reflecting on her performance, Sabalenka acknowledged the difficulty of the first set, emphasizing her aggressive approach, and noted an improvement in her play during the second set. She expressed satisfaction with her resilience during the initial set.

Key Quotes
  • “The first set was super tight and super aggressive,” Sabalenka stated.
  • “I felt like it was more about the serve and first shot. It was super quick.”
  • “The second set felt much better on the return game. I’m really glad that I stayed strong in that first set.”

Notably, Sabalenka had previously defeated Kudermetova in the Brisbane final earlier in January, marking their only prior encounter.

Kudermetova, who has battled numerous injuries in recent years, demonstrated resilience despite still recovering from a leg injury during the match against Sabalenka.

Nevertheless, Sabalenka capitalized on the situation, gaining momentum and securing four of the subsequent five games.