Aryna Sabalenka cut short questions about her pre-tournament activities in an excruciating exchange with a reporter following her second-round win. The two-time defending champion thrashed Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko 6-1 6-1 in 53 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Belarusian, who had faced a similar line of questioning after her first-round win, fired back that her off-court appearances had not come at the expense of her preparations for the Grand Slam.
Sabalenka - a regular poster on social media at the various events she attends and with the brands she works with - replied: "You guys are, like, a joke. Like, 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? The question, like, what is that?" When the reporter responded: "I'm saying that there are a lot of events and things like that.
I'm not saying you go to the parties," Sabalenka interrupted: "You literally said that. Next question." The reporter replied: "For everyone who is unclear, I'm not suggesting that Aryna is having fun at these parties." "I'm saying that she makes a lot of appearances and there's a lot to do and lots of events, OK?" said the reporter. She was then asked: "So, now that the tournament has started, do you find you're getting quite serious and combative?" Sabalanka replied: "Oh, yeah, I wasn't serious before that.
Think before you say stuff." The world No 1, seeking a third straight title in New York to emulate Serena Williams and Chris Evert, faces Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova on Friday looking for a 17th consecutive win at Flushing Meadows. Carlos Alcaraz's comeback from a long wrist injury layoff gathered momentum as he came from behind to outclass Portugal's Jaime Faria 4-6 6-0 6-3 6-2 and reach the third round. The defending champion rebounded from a quick deficit by winning eight straight games and beat Faria.
"After that I just tried to be focused, tried to stay calm and I'm thinking that good things are going to happen again," said Alcaraz, who is on a 16-match winning streak in Grand Slam tournaments. Peruvian Ignacio Buse added a new chapter to his family's US Open story as he came through a five-setter to earn a maiden victory and follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, who last won a match at the tournament in 1958. The 32nd seed beat American Marcos Giron 3-6 6-3 6-3 6-7(6) 6-1 after three hours and 48 minutes on Court Six, finishing off the match with a backhand volley to spark loud cheers from his team and fans in the stands.
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