Aryna Sabalenka hit out at a reporter's "joke" line of questioning following her 53-minute victory over Polina Iatcenko at the US Open on Wednesday.

The world number one made swift work of Iatcenko at Arthur Ashe Stadium, triumphing 6-1 6-1 to tee up a third-round meeting with Kamilla Rakhimova.

But Sabalenka was then irked by a question put forward in her post-match press conference, when a reporter suggested she had attended "lots of parties" before the tournament.

The top seed snapped back: "You guys are a joke. Parties, fun... Why would you even say that? Why would you even think about that? What kind of question is that?

"Just because I posted, like, some activities with brands, and you think that I've been partying, not training? That question, what is that?"

When Sabalenka was then asked if things were "getting serious" as the third round approaches, she quipped: "Oh, yeah, I wasn't serious before that. Next question.

"Think before you say stuff."

Shine bright like a diamond @SabalenkaA swiftly moves past Iatcenko, 6-1, 6-1!#USOpen pic.twitter.com/ZPSgJ8rmG6

— wta (@WTA) September 3, 2026

Sabalenka will be joined in the third round by Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, who beat Lanlana Tararudee 6-4 6-2 in one hour and 18 minutes.

Noskova has never been beyond round three at Flushing Meadows, but she will look to end that hoodoo against Ann Li, having won each of her last nine grand slam matches.

Elina Svitolina also advanced with a 6-2 6-7 (6-8) 6-4 success over Maya Joint, with Anna Kalinskaya her next opponent.

Upset never on the cards as Sabalenka cruises

Sabalenka has not been at her earth-shattering best throughout 2026, but she was never troubled on Wednesday as she maintained her dominant record versus qualifiers.

She has now won all 13 of her grand slam matches against qualifiers, with every one of those victories coming in straight sets.

Overall on the WTA Tour, she has now won her last 25 matches against qualifiers and lucky losers, with her last such defeat coming against Donna Vekic in San Diego four years ago.

Sabalenka ended the match with 24 winners to Iatcenko's three, pummelling 12 before her opponent even got one on the board.

The two-time defending champion has now won 15 consecutive matches at the US Open, and Wednesday's victory was her 107th in the main draw of the majors since the start of the decade – second only to Iga Swiatek (109) on the WTA Tour.