By Erik Gudris | Sunday, August 24, 2025
Photo credit: Cincinnati Open Facebook
As Billie Jean King said, “Pressure is a Privilege.”
Top seed Aryna Sabalenka probably felt both of those as she entered Arthur Ashe Stadium to begin her US Open title defense.
The pressure of being both US Open defending champion and still in search of her first major title of 2025. Yet also the privilege of being the defending champion and opening match play on Ashe Stadium.
And while she struggled in the beginning, the World No. 1 certainly finished strong to put her in the right frame of mind for the challenges to come these next two weeks.
Sabalenka powered past Switzerland’s Rebeka Masarova 7-5, 6-1 to reach the second round on opening day of the final Grand Slam of the year.
The first set proved a lot closer than perhaps many expected as the World No. 109 Masarova hung tough with Sabalenka right until the end. Masarova, with a potent serve and forehand, earned the first service break of the set in the fifth game.
Sabalenka broke right back but Masarova wouldn’t back down. With both players then holding serve, a tiebreak seemed imminent.
Yet, when Masarova served down 5-6, Sabalenka produced a trademark forehand winner to reach set point. Sabalenka showed off stellar defense in the next point, getting to a Masarova smash, and then chasing down a short ball for a winner to seal the set 7-5.
In the second set, Sabalenka fought off multiple break points in her opening service game. Masarova’s own level dropped at the wrong time. The 26-year-old Swiss tossed in two double faults in her next service game to hand Sabalenka a 2-0 lead.
From there, it was off to the races for Sabalenka. She earned another break later for 4-0 when Masarova tossed in yet another untimely double fault down break point.
Sabalenka soon enough would close out the 7-5, 6-1 win in just under 90 minutes for her 51st victory on the season.
Sabalenka’s US Open title defense, if she does complete it, would be a rare one, at least in the last few years. No US Open women’s singles champion has successfully defended their title since Serena Williams did so back in 2014.
Next for Sabalenka is Polina Kudermetova who she defeated in the Brisbane final earlier this year.
