Key facts
- Sabalenka beat Osorio 6-2, 6-4 in first-round women’s singles match
- Sabalenka pursuing third consecutive US Open title; Serena Williams last won three straight in 2014
- Sabalenka’s No 1 ranking at risk after no final appearances in four months
- Tenth seed Fils lost to Tsitsipas 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-1, 6-4 after leading 5-2 in second set
- Tsitsipas climbed from No 88 ranking earlier this year to No 53; recently split from his father as coach
Sabalenka advances with dominant opening performance
Aryna Sabalenka, the defending women’s singles champion, defeated Camila Osorio 6-2, 6-4 to begin her US Open title defence. Sabalenka served well and overpowered Osorio from the baseline throughout the match, easing through the opening set before rolling through the final three games of the second set to close it out.
After the match, Sabalenka emphasised her focus on staying in the moment rather than reflecting on recent struggles. “I never look back,” she said. “If I win the tournament or lose the tournament, today is a new day, and I have to stay in the moment.”
Sabalenka’s ranking and title bid
Sabalenka’s world No 1 ranking is now at risk following a four-month stretch without reaching a final. Elena Rybakina has a strong chance of taking top spot. With this victory, Sabalenka is pursuing a third consecutive US Open singles title, which would make her the first woman to achieve the feat since Serena Williams won three straight in 2014.
Fils suffers major upset to Tsitsipas
The men’s tournament saw a significant upset on the second day: 10th seed Arthur Fils, the Cincinnati Open champion and one of the title contenders, lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-1, 6-4. Fils had controlled much of the match, leading 6-4, 5-2 in the second set, but faltered while attempting to serve for the set. Once Tsitsipas broke back, the Greek player took over with strong serving and forehand striking while Fils’ intensity and quality declined sharply.
Fils acknowledged the poor execution at the critical moment. “Once the energy went down at the end of the second, I never felt again a good energy,” he said. “I have to talk with my team, but at my level, to do such a mistake is almost unprofessional.”
Tsitsipas climbing back up the rankings
The victory marks a significant moment for Tsitsipas, who has struggled this year. The 28-year-old, a twice grand-slam singles finalist, fell as low as No 88 in the ATP rankings earlier in 2026 and currently ranks No 53. The result comes shortly after Tsitsipas split from his father, who had coached him on and off since childhood and with whom his relationship had become increasingly tense. Tsitsipas has declared he does not intend to work with his father again as he attempts to re-establish himself.
Sources
- The Guardian — US Open 2026: Alcaraz enters fray while Sabalenka wins on day two after Djokovic shock – live · Aryna Sabalenka begins US Open title defence with victory against Camila Osorio
- Yahoo Sports
Featured photo: The White House via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)