Aryna Sabalenka arrives at Flushing Meadows with an extraordinary goal: to secure her third consecutive US Open singles title. The world No.1 previously won the tournament in 2024 and 2025, and succeeding this year would place her in a rarefied group that includes only Chris Evert and Serena Williams, who accomplished the feat in the Open Era.

With a significant historical achievement at stake, Sabalenka’s most formidable opponent may be her own form. Her performance at the start of 2026 was outstanding, highlighted by victories at Indian Wells and Miami. She boasted a remarkable record of 26 wins in her first 27 matches, firmly establishing herself as a dominant force on hard courts.

However, her fortunes shifted starting in April. Since then, Sabalenka has recorded 17 wins against seven losses and has struggled to reach finals, most recently falling to 20-year-old Czech Sara Bejlek in the Round of 16 at Cincinnati. This match marked a turning point, as Sabalenka lost leads in both sets, exposing vulnerabilities that had begun to emerge in her game.

Sabalenka’s Path to History

The challenge for Sabalenka is considerable, as achieving three consecutive US Open titles is exceedingly rare. In the Open Era, only Evert and Williams have managed this. Evert completed a four-title run from 1975 to 1978, while Williams captured her three consecutive titles from 2012 to 2014, making the competition for historical significance even more intense.

Over the last five editions of the tournament, Sabalenka has consistently made it to at least the quarter-finals, showing reliability. Yet her current form has dampened expectations for her to repeat this success. According to former coach Rick Macci, Sabalenka’s style has noticeably changed; she is now positioned further behind the baseline and appears to be less confident in her aggressive plays.

Macci noted that her emotional resilience has been tested, which could embolden her rivals. Other players seem to be capitalising on her moments of uncertainty, feeling that they have a chance to upset her. Consequently, while her power remains intact, the conviction and certainty that typically accompany her strokes seem to have waned.

Competitive Landscape of the US Open

The tournament presents a plethora of challengers who could exploit Sabalenka’s current weaknesses. Iga Swiatek, who recently ended an eleven-month title drought with a victory in Toronto, poses a significant threat. As they are in opposite halves of the draw, a potential final clash remains a possibility.

Coco Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, also enters the tournament with heightened confidence following her Cincinnati victory. Her athletic prowess and ability to transition seamlessly from defence to offence make her a formidable contender. Additionally, Elena Rybakina, the Australian Open champion, is another major competitor, despite her preparations having been hampered by an ankle injury in Cincinnati.

The mix of strong contenders doesn’t end there. Other players such as Mirra Andreeva, Linda Noskova, Jessica Pegula, and two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka all harbour ambitions of making significant advances in the tournament. The competitive nature of the draw reflects this depth, with numerous previous Grand Slam winners vying for success.

Further complicating matters for Sabalenka is the pressure of maintaining her No.1 ranking. Rybakina had an opportunity to ascend to the top position if Sabalenka stumbled, but her own injury challenges have added uncertainty to the rankings as well. This competitive environment makes Sabalenka’s pursuit of a third title all the more significant as she prepares for her first match against Camila Osorio.

While the path to reclaiming confidence and form may be demanding, Sabalenka has demonstrated her ability to perform under pressure. The upcoming matches will be crucial in determining whether she can return to the level of excellence that characterised her earlier performances this season.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share