New York, September 4, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Top seed and two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the fourth round of the 2026 US Open with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Kamilla Rakhimova at Louis Armstrong Stadium on Friday.
Sabalenka, competing in a striking orange outfit under the intense New York sun, overcame the challenge posed by the 92nd-ranked Rakhimova to reach the fourth round in New York for the fifth consecutive year.
The Belarusian entered the match having dropped just eight games across her opening two rounds and again made a strong start, securing an early break to move 2-1 ahead.
Rakhimova, a 25-year-old from Uzbekistan, struggled initially against Sabalenka’s power but showed considerable resilience. Trailing 3-5, she produced an impressive service game, mixing counterpunching with variety to keep the set alive.
Sabalenka, however, remained dominant on serve and wrapped up the opening set 6-3 in 35 minutes. She struck four aces, committed no double faults, won 81 per cent of points behind her first serve and did not face a break point.
The second set followed a similar pattern as Sabalenka maintained control to complete the straight-sets victory.
Sabalenka had won all three of her previous meetings with Rakhimova, including straight-set victories at the French Open in 2023 and 2025. Rakhimova had pushed her to three sets on the Washington hard courts in 2024.
Rakhimova had entered the US Open with confidence after defeating 27th seed and two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova in straight sets in the opening round.
Sabalenka will next meet the winner of the third-round clash between American Taylor Townsend and 15th seed Diana Shnaider.
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