US Open 2026 results: Aryna Sabalenka continues title defence with one of the quickest Grand Slam wins of her career

She then faced Polina Iatcenko in the second round and completed the match in 53 minutes according to AP News and ESPN, or 54 minutes as noted by Yahoo Sports. The rapid win propelled Sabalenka into the third round of the tournament, marking one of the quickest Grand Slam victories of her career, a point highlighted by the BBC. Earlier, Sabalenka overcame Osorio to begin her defence, a result also cited by the US Open Tennis outlet. Coverage across five outlets stresses the speed and dominance of Sabalenka’s performance.

The headlines uniformly use language such as “powers” and “flies past,” underscoring a narrative of overwhelming control. The consistency of phrasing across these sources suggests a shared emphasis on the rarity of such a swift Grand Slam triumph. Grand Slam matches typically extend well beyond an hour, especially in the early rounds where players adjust to conditions. The US Open, one of the sport’s four majors, draws global attention, making any deviation from the norm—such as an exceptionally fast win—particularly newsworthy.

Looking ahead, Sabalenka’s next challenge will be her fourth‑round match, though coverage does not yet specify her opponent. Observers will monitor whether her rapid pace can be sustained against higher‑seeded competitors who may present greater resistance. The focus will remain on her match duration, shot selection, and any shifts in strategy as the tournament progresses, providing a clear metric for evaluating the durability of her early‑round momentum.