Sabalenka wins US Open opener, Djokovic exits early

Aryna Sabalenka began her bid for a historic third consecutive US Open title with a straight-sets victory over Camila Osorio on Monday, August 31, 2026, while the tournament was simultaneously shaken by the early exit of Novak Djokovic. The top-seeded Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, defeated Osorio 6-2, 6-4 in a first-round match on Arthur Ashe Stadium, advancing to face Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko in the next round. The win was a crucial start for Sabalenka, who has been battling a dip in form and a significant threat to her world number one ranking.