Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka set the platform for a US Open second-round victory over Polina Kudermetova by persevering with her formidable tie-break file.

Sabalenka, 27, claimed her seventeenth consecutive tie-break in a 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 win in Wednesday’s evening session in New York.

With the ability to lock in when it mattered proved essential as soon as once more for the world primary, who has received 10 of her previous 11 matches when profitable a first-set tie-break.

Taking the opener dampened her Russian opponent’s spirits and led to Sabalenka occurring to interrupt early within the second set.

Sabalenka’s service sport was nonetheless just a little scratchy – digging deep to avoid wasting two break factors earlier than holding for 3-1 – however her degree improved as she raced in the direction of victory.

On the rationale why she has been so dominant in tie-breaks this season, the three-time Grand Slam champion mentioned: “I am simply attempting to remain aggressive and battle for each level.

“I do know each level generally is a key second of the set so I am simply attempting to remain sturdy and play aggressive.”

Sabalenka is aiming to grow to be the primary participant to defend the ladies’s singles title since Serena Williams in 2014.

Subsequent she’s going to face Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, who was a crushed finalist in 2021 when she misplaced to Britain’s Emma Raducanu.