Sabalenka Targets Three-Peat at US Open After Back-to-Back Titles
· Sports · Times of India, BBC Sport
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka returns to the US Open at Flushing Meadows chasing a third consecutive women's singles title after defending her crown in 2025 with a 6-3, 7-6 win over Amanda Anisimova. She became the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to win back-to-back US Open titles, with her previous 2024 win coming against Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5. Sabalenka faces a packed field of 2026 Grand Slam champions, including Elena Rybakina (Australian Open), Mirra Andreeva (French Open), and Linda Noskova (Wimbledon), along with Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek. Speaking exclusively to TOI ahead of the tournament, Sabalenka said having rivals chase her only pushes her to work harder. The article does not detail her current form or first-round opponent at this edition.
Why it matters
A three-peat would further cement Sabalenka's place among the all-time greats at the US Open and could reshape the race for the year-end No. 1 ranking. The depth of the women's field, with three different 2026 Grand Slam champions already crowned, sets up one of the most competitive Opens in years.
Read the original report — Times of India
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