Aryna Sabalenka Advances to Fourth Round of 2026 US Open

Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed and defending champion of the US Open, successfully advanced to the fourth round with a victory against Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova. The match took place on Friday at the Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York, concluding with a score of 6-3, 6-4.

Sabalenka, who has now reached this stage for five consecutive years, began the match strongly, gaining an early advantage and maintaining her momentum. This win marks her 16th consecutive match victory at the US Open, a significant achievement that has not been seen since Serena Williams' impressive streak from 2012 to 2015.

In her first two matches of this year's tournament, Sabalenka allowed her opponents only eight games, indicating her formidable form. Against Rakhimova, ranked 92nd in the WTA Rankings, Sabalenka displayed her dominant serving, which included four aces in the opening set. Rakhimova, who had previously upset two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova, struggled to cope with Sabalenka's Power and precision.

Despite a spirited performance from Rakhimova, Sabalenka closed the first set in just 35 minutes without facing a break point. The second set continued in a similar vein, with Sabalenka demonstrating her ability to adapt and execute her game plan effectively.

Following the match, Sabalenka acknowledged the hard work it took to be where she is today. She is keenly aware of the challenges ahead as she aims to retain her title. Her next opponent will be American player Taylor Townsend, who recently triumphed over No. 15 seed Diana Shnaider in a tightly contested match.

Sabalenka mentioned the unique challenge Townsend poses due to her versatile playing style, stating, “She’s a great player and tricky because she brings variety and makes you think during the game.” Sabalenka expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming match, indicating her readiness for the challenge.

As she prepares for the next round, Sabalenka is keeping her focus on her game, determined to stay at the top of the PIF WTA Rankings by potentially winning the tournament. With her strong performances thus far, the tennis world anticipates what will come next from the reigning champion.

This match adds to Sabalenka's growing legacy at the US Open where she has now accumulated 37 main-draw victories, the most of any player in the tournament since her debut in 2018. As the tournament progresses, her fans eagerly await further milestones in her career at this prestigious event.