Tie-break queen Sabalenka powers on, Pegula rediscovers form at US Open

US Open 2025 – Flushing Meadows, New York (24 August–7 September)

World number one Aryna Sabalenka kept her title defence on track at the US Open with a straight-sets win over Russia’s Polina Kudermetova, Sport360NG reports.

The 27-year-old Belarusian extended her remarkable tie-break record, sealing her 17th in a row on the way to a 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 victory under the lights in New York.

Winning the opener proved decisive as Kudermetova’s resistance faded, allowing Sabalenka to take control early in the second set. Although her serve wobbled at times, fending off two break points at 3-1, the three-time Grand Slam champion grew stronger as the match wore on.

Explaining her dominance in tie-breaks this season, Sabalenka said: “I just try to stay aggressive and fight for every point. Every rally can turn into a key moment, so I focus on playing brave and staying strong.”

Sabalenka is bidding to become the first woman to retain the singles crown at Flushing Meadows since Serena Williams in 2014. She will next face Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, the 2021 finalist.

Pegula cruises into third round

Last year’s runner-up Jessica Pegula booked her spot in round three with a commanding 6-1, 6-3 win over Russia’s Anna Blinkova in just 65 minutes.

The American fourth seed, who fell to Sabalenka in last year’s final, had endured a difficult season, failing to reach the last eight at any Slam and suffering a shock opening-round loss at Wimbledon. But she looked sharp on Arthur Ashe Stadium, striking 30 winners and breaking serve three times to dominate the opening set before closing out the match with a steadier second.

Pegula, 31, will next face experienced Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, a three-time US Open finalist, who defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-3, 6-3.

Other results

• Ninth seed Elena Rybakina overcame Czech qualifier Tereza Valentova 6-3, 7-6 (9-7) and now meets Britain’s Emma Raducanu, the 2021 champion.
• American 10th seed Emma Navarro eased past Caty McNally 6-2, 6-1 and will play Czech star Barbora Krejcikova, a former Wimbledon winner, who beat Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima 6-4, 6-2.