Aryna Sabalenka grew in power and confidence as she began the defence of her US Open title with a straight-sets victory over Rebeka Masarova in New York.
World number one Sabalenka overcame a slow start to defeat the Swiss player 7-5 6-1 and move into the second round. Watching from her box was Max Mirnyi, the 10-time Grand Slam doubles champion brought in to support her coach Anton Dubrov.
Mirnyi, known as ‘the Beast’ during his playing days for his 6ft 4in frame and fearless approach, has been helping Sabalenka sharpen her net game as she looks to finish the Grand Slam season on a high.
“I feel like we improved a couple things together and I’m looking forward to working more with this wonderful guy,” Sabalenka said. “Hopefully we can finally improve my volley, maybe one day you will see me coming to the net more often but for now it’s a work in progress.
“Now you can call our team Beauty and the Beast.”
Sabalenka is aiming to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to retain the singles title at Flushing Meadows. She has reached at least the semi-finals of each Grand Slam this year, finishing runner-up in both the Australian and French Opens.
However, her form coming into New York was uncertain after a shaky performance at the Cincinnati Open, where she narrowly beat Emma Raducanu before falling to Elena Rybakina.
Against Masarova, the Belarusian was broken in the fifth game of the opening set but responded immediately to level at 3-3. The set remained on serve until Sabalenka created a set point at 6-5. Masarova appeared to have saved it with a powerful smash, but Sabalenka produced a stunning defensive return that forced a lobbed reply. The top seed then fired a winning shot down the line, sealing the set with a roar.
From that point, Masarova, ranked 108 in the world, struggled to respond and held serve only once in the second set as Sabalenka powered to victory.
“I feel like I didn’t start my best in the first games, but then I found my rhythm,” Sabalenka said.
She will next face Polina Kudermetova of Russia, who progressed after Spain’s Nuria Parrizas-Diaz retired with injury.