Aryna Sabalenka overcomes struggles to open US Open title defence with straight-sets victory over Rebeka Masarova in New York

Aryna Sabalenka got her US Open campaign off to a winning start on Sunday. The world No. 1 beat Switzerland's Rebeka Masarova 7-5 6-1 at Flushing Meadows in New York on Sunday. Sabalenka is looking for her first Grand Slam success of 2025, having lost finals at the Australian Open and French Open this year, and been knocked out in the semi-finals at Wimbledon.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka admitted she struggled to find her rhythm early on in her US Open first-round match against Rebeka Masarova, but then stepped up a gear and began to feel "at home" again in New York.

Sabalenka, looking for her first Grand Slam success of 2025, saw off Switzerland's Masarova 7-5 6-1.

The world No. 1 by no means had it all her own way early on, and she had to produce a couple of ferocious winners to avoid the first set going to a tie-break.

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But she stepped up a gear after that and soon sealed her place in the second round in New York.

"I'm super happy with the win," Sabalenka told Sky Sports. "I would say that the beginning of the first set wasn't that great, but I found my rhythm and then I felt back home and I'm excited to play the first set.

"I was just reminding myself [in the first set] how strong I am and when I won that set point, I heard people cheering and I had goose bumps and really great energy inside of me. In the second set, I felt like everything was going my way."

Aryna Sabalenka in action during her first round match in New York on Sunday

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Masarova pushed Sabalenka out of her comfort zone early on with some aggressive play. But once Sabalenka found her groove, the outcome of the match was never really in doubt.

Sabalenka has twice won the Australian Open, along with last year's US Open triumph, in a stellar career.

But despite some fine showings this year, the story in the majors has been one of falling just short, with Sabalenka losing in the finals of the Australian Open and French Open, and being knocked out of the semi-finals at Wimbledon.

She is aiming to win this title again - if she does, she will become the first woman to defend her crown at this tournament since Serena Williams picked up a hat-trick between 2012 and 2014 - and keep hold of her spot at the top of the world rankings.

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Sabalenka was asked on court how she copes with the pressure given how significant her goals are.

"I think it's absolutely normal to feel pressure," she added. "I just want to focus on myself and do everything possible to reach my goal.

"When you feel this support, it makes you feel like home. This support means a lot to me.

"I really had great memories from last year and I was walking to court, telling myself I could do it one more time. I just have to stay focused and fight for every point."

Sabalenka will face unseeded Russian Polina Kudermetova in the second round. Kudermetova advanced when opponent Nuria Parrizas Diaz retired at 2-2 in the first set.

Denmark's Clara Tauson, the 14th seed, was the highest-ranked player to fall in the opening hours of play at the final Grand Slam of the year.

Tauson lost to Alexandra Eala of the Philippines in a match that went to a marathon final set tie-break.

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