Defending champion and No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka moved into the second round of the US Open on Sunday after weathering a challenging first set in her first match.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka moved into the second round of the U.S. Open on Sunday after weathering a challenging first set in her first match. The No. 1 player took down Swiss player Rebeka Masarova 7-5,

Once again, Aryna Sabalenka enters a Grand Slam as one of the top picks, but her grip on that status has loosened as the season has progressed. It’s her final opportunity to secure a major title this year after falling short in the Australian Open final and letting a one-set lead slip away at Roland Garros.