WTA rankings leader Aryna Sabalenka opened her 2026 US Open title defense with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Camila Osorio on Monday. The victory kept the two-time defending champion's bid for a rare three-peat alive.
Only Serena Williams and Chris Evert have won three straight in New York during the modern Open era.
Aryna Sabalenka Enters 2026 US Open Atop the WTA Rankings — for Now
But more than just hardware is on the line this month. Sabalenka's 99-week reign atop the WTA rankings is in jeopardy. She's defending 2,000 points at Flushing Meadows, and Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina now trails her by just 434. A deep run isn't a nice to have, it's necessary.
Sabalenka's first set came easily against the world No. 52. But Osorio pushed back in the second, forcing the Belarusian to fend off three break points before she broke decisively at 4-4 and closed it out in 88 minutes.
"I'm ready for the fight," Sabalenka said afterward. "I really feel my best emotions at this stadium… I'm trying to focus on myself. I'm enjoying my time in New York and I'm ready to go out here and do anything it takes to get the wins."
She'll need that focus. The four-time major champion hasn't reached a final since winning the Miami Open in April. Up next, she'll face qualifier Polina Iatcenko in Wednesday's second round.
