Top seed and two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4 to reach the fourth round of the 2026 US Open for the fifth consecutive year.
Playing at Louis Armstrong Stadium, Sabalenka overcame the 92nd-ranked Uzbek with another dominant serving display. She broke early and took control of the opening set, hitting four aces, winning 81% of first-serve points and facing no break points. Rakhimova showed flashes of variety and resilience but struggled to consistently handle Sabalenka’s power. The Belarusian maintained her composure in the second set to complete the victory in straight sets. Sabalenka has now beaten Rakhimova in all four of their meetings.
She will next face either American Taylor Townsend or No. 15 seed Diana Shnaider.