Sabalenka Opens US Open Title Defence with Win Over Osorio

Aryna Sabalenka began her bid for a third consecutive US Open title with a 6-2 6-4 victory over Camila Osorio. The world number one has faced a dip in form but held off a resilient opponent. She could become the first woman to win three straight US Opens since Serena Williams.

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Sabalenka's ranking security has eroded sharply since April, when her Miami Open triumph gave her a 3,000-point cushion atop the standings. Early exits at the French Open and Wimbledon have trimmed that lead to just 434 points over Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina, who plays her first-round match on Tuesday. With 2,000 defending points at Flushing Meadows, Sabalenka must win the title and hope Rybakina exits before the semi-finals to preserve her 99-week reign as world number one.

Her second-set statistics highlighted the vulnerability: 48% first serves and 12 unforced errors against the 52nd-ranked Osorio. She fended off three break points before striking at 4-4 to close out the match in 88 minutes. Next up is Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko. Elsewhere