Sabalenka Beats Osorio to Open US Open Bid

Aryna Sabalenka beat Camila Osorio 6-2, 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium to open the 2026 US Open. The top seed is chasing a third consecutive women's singles title in New York, and her first round lasted only two sets.

Osorio can make every point feel longer than it should. Sabalenka said the Colombian makes opponents work hard for every point, but the defending champion kept the match under control. She rolled through the opening set and handled a tighter second without giving the crowd an upset scare.

Sabalenka starts her title defense cleanly

The 6-2 first set gave Sabalenka immediate room. Osorio raised the resistance in the second, but Sabalenka closed it 6-4 and avoided the kind of extra-court time that can pile up during a two-week major. It was a practical win, not a marathon.

"I'm happy with my performance," Sabalenka said after the match, according to The National. The victory also stopped a frustrating run since her Sunshine Double at Indian Wells and Miami in March. She had not reached another title match entering New York.

The three-peat chase is officially moving

Sabalenka won the 2024 and 2025 US Open titles, so every match this year carries a little more history. Three straight trophies at the same major is the kind of run that turns a favorite into the player everyone circles in the draw. One round does not win the tournament, but dropping only six games is a sharp opening statement.

The women's draw moved several contenders through on Monday. Amanda Anisimova, Iga Swiatek, Karolina Muchova, and Linda Noskova also advanced. On the men's side, Carlos Alcaraz returned from injury with a straight-sets win, while Daniil Medvedev opened with a three-set victory over Hugo Gaston.

Who does Sabalenka play next?

Polina Iatcenko is Sabalenka's second-round opponent. The matchup gives Sabalenka another chance to settle into the hard courts before the names and pressure get bigger later in the bracket.

For now, the champion is through. Sabalenka beat Osorio 6-2, 6-4, looked comfortable on Ashe, and moved one step deeper into a bid for three straight US Open crowns.

There will be tougher afternoons if Sabalenka keeps advancing, but champions value clean opening rounds. She solved Osorio without a third set, protected her place in the draw, and kept the focus exactly where she wants it, on another New York trophy. The first hurdle is safely behind her.