Aryna Sabalenka defeated Camila Osorio 6-2, 6-4 on Monday to begin her 2026 U.S. Open title defence [1].
The victory maintains Sabalenka's momentum as she attempts to defend her title for a third consecutive year at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center [2].
The match began at 11:30 a.m. ET in New York [3]. Sabalenka controlled the pace of the contest from the start, utilizing a powerful baseline game to keep Osorio on the defensive. The straight-sets win ensures the defending champion advances to the second round of the tournament [1].
This performance marks a significant milestone for the athlete. According to a WTA spokesperson, the win represents Sabalenka's 24th consecutive Grand Slam first-round victory [4]. This streak underscores her consistency in the opening stages of major tournaments over several seasons.
Despite the victory, the match was not without emotional intensity. Sabalenka said, "I want to quit tennis right now" [5]. The comment came amidst the pressure of maintaining a high seed and defending a championship in one of the world's most scrutinized sporting environments.
Osorio struggled to find a rhythm against the defending champion's pace. While she managed to secure four games in the second set, she could not break Sabalenka's serve to force a deciding set [1].
Sabalenka now moves forward in the draw at Flushing Meadows, where she remains the favorite to reach the final stages of the competition [2].
“Sabalenka defeated Camila Osorio 6-2, 6-4 on Monday to begin her 2026 US Open title defence.”
Sabalenka's ability to navigate the first round of Grand Slams has become a statistical benchmark for reliability in women's tennis. By securing 24 straight opening-round wins, she demonstrates a psychological edge over lower-seeded opponents. However, her candid frustration during the match suggests that the mental burden of defending a title for three consecutive years may be as challenging as the physical competition.
