Aryna Sabalenka's quest for a third straight US Open triumph began in routine fashion as she beat Camila Osorio in straight sets in the first round.

Sabalenka triumphed 6-2 6-4 in just under an hour-and-a-half at Arthur Ashe Stadium, extending her winning streak in opening-round matches at grand slams to 24.

The world number one – who could lose that status to any of Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula or Coco Gauff at Flushing Meadows – was the beneficiary of some early mistakes from Osorio.

A series of double faults in Osorio's opening two service games put her under severe pressure, and it was little surprise when Sabalenka broke to go 2-1 up.

Sabalenka then extended that advantage to a double break, though Osorio refused to go down quietly, threatening a break of her own in game four and getting one in game five.

But those troubles on her own serve would not go away as Sabalenka clinched a third break en route to taking the opener.

Osorio continued to battle in the second, who recovered an early loss of serve at the first attempt and remained in control of the set at 4-3 up.

However, Sabalenka upped her level just when a decider appeared possible, dominating the baseline exchanges en route to another break, then serving out the contest – overcoming a double fault on her first match point. 

Having teed up a second-round clash with Polina Iatcenko, Sabalenka said: "I'm super happy with the level I played at, especially in the first set.

"This is one of my favourite stadiums. I've experienced some of the best emotions here, so it means a lot to be back.

"I'm trying to focus on myself. I'm ready to go out there and do whatever it takes to get the wins. I'm ready for the fight."

35 - Aryna Sabalenka has claimed her 35th win at the US Open, surpassing the Australian Open (34) for her most at a single WTA-level event in her career. Favourite. #USOpen | @usopen @WTA pic.twitter.com/cn495GyKSm

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) August 31, 2026

Sabalenka starts strong at favourite event

Sabalenka is aiming to become the first player – male or female – to win three consecutive titles at the US Open since Serena Williams between 2012 and 2014.

And she now has 35 career wins at the US Open, surpassing the Australian Open (34) for her most victories outright at any WTA Tour-level event.

Sabalenka would have been wary of an upset against world number 59 Osorio, particularly after watching Novak Djokovic – her partner in the mixed doubles last week – fall at the first hurdle against Mariano Navone on Sunday.

But she has now gone beyond the first round on all nine of her main-draw appearances at the US Open, with Venus and Serena Williams the only other active players to achieve that feat.