Sunday, August 24, 2025, saw Aruna Sabalenka begin the defence of her U.S. Open title with a victory, while Novak Djokovic successfully began his most recent attempt to win a record 25th Grand Slam singles title. Masarova, who is now ranked 108th in the world, bravely took Sabalenka out of her comfort zone on the Arthur Ashe Stadium showcourt at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre.
World number one Aruna Sabalenka started her U.S. Open title defence on Sunday in straightforward fashion with a 7-5, 6-1 win over Switzerland’s Rebeka Masarova in the first round.
Her three-time major champion overcame an edgy start in which she could not find her range, battled through the first set before cruising in the second and playing off an enthusiastic Arthur Ashe audience.
“When I won that first set and you cheered me out I got goosebumps,” Sabalenka said in her on-court interview.
“Your support means a lot to me, thank you for coming. It was an amazing atmosphere,” she added.
She was pushed off right in the first game losing serve due to two consecutive forehand kisses but she broke back the next game when Masarova double-faulted. However, she won the set on the serve after missing 50 percent of first serve, ending with a point at the net.
The top seed did the same, initially displaying some signs of frustration, before she swiftly reasserted herself with a break in the second game as Masarova self-destructed with three double faults.
Sabalenka broke again in the same manner then consolidated on the second-service ace. Although the Swiss currently held, it was too late as the hard-serving Sabalenka served out the match as she has had a perfect eight -win streak ar Flushing Meadows before.
“I’m happy to get this win and happy to be in the second round. I feel like I didn’t start my best in the first games, but then I found my rhythm,” she later told reporters.
“I love to be defending champion. For me, it’s motivation, you know, and I want to do well. I want to do the same that I did last year. I want to feel those emotions, and I really worked hard for that. I hope that I’ll be able to reach my goal here,” she added.
She will take on Russian Polina Kudermetova in the second round Wednesday.
“She’s a great player, nice girl, it’s going to be a fierce battle,” Sabalenka said of her opponent.
