Sabalenka takes first set as US Open title defence begins

A one-sided opening set

Aryna Sabalenka, the Belarusian world number one, took the first set 6-2 against Camila Osorio of Colombia in her opening match of the US Open, the final Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year, played in New York.

The Guardian reported that Sabalenka had hit five aces and 18 winners by the end of that set, and described the start of the match on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court as "all rather predictable".

Osorio, ranked 52nd in the world according to BBC Sport, gave up an early break with two consecutive double faults, her fourth and fifth of the match. Sabalenka broke a second time to lead 4-1, then double-faulted to hand one break straight back before recovering to serve out the set.

Osorio's fightback in the second

The second set turned into a scrappier contest. BBC Sport's live commentary described Sabalenka roaring in anger and glaring at her team as her forehand went astray, and noted that Osorio held serve only for the second time in the match at one stage.

The Guardian reported that Osorio broke back as Sabalenka accumulated unforced errors, overcooking groundstrokes, and that the Colombian then held to lead the second set. The Guardian's running score had Sabalenka ahead 6-2, 2-3 at that point.

The final result of the match is not given in the available reports, which were published while play was still under way.

The wider tournament

Sabalenka is defending the women's singles title she won at the same event last year, when she beat the American Amanda Anisimova 6-3 7-6 (7-3), according to BBC Sport.

The tournament runs for 15 days, with the women's singles final on Saturday 12 September and the men's on Sunday 13 September. BBC Sport says record prize money is on offer.

Sabalenka's match came on day two, the same day Carlos Alcaraz of Spain was due to return to singles against Roman Safiullin after four months out with injury. The Athletic reported that day one produced the tournament's biggest shock so far, with Novak Djokovic, seeded fourth, losing in five sets to Mariano Navone, his first opening-round defeat at a Grand Slam since 2006.

The Athletic also reported that Sofia Kenin beat Venus Williams in straight sets in a match that finished after 2am local time, and that Jessica Pegula and Daniil Medvedev both won in straight sets.