US Open 2024 Women’s Day 3

Last year’s losing finalist Aryna Sabalenka kept her exertions in steaming heat to a minimum on Wednesday with a 6-3, 6-1 second-round win at the US Open.

The double Australian Open winner who claimed a tuneup title this month at Cincinnati, rolled over Italian No. 76 Lucia Bronzetti in 61 minutes to beat the weather on a day when the heat effect rule for three-set matches was in effect.

Sabalenka, who lost the final here in 2023 to Coco Gauff, showed her best game on the cement, where she has lifted 13 of her 15 career titles. She never faced a break point while breaking her opponent four times.

“I’m super happy with the level today. She’s really tough opponent.

“Even though the score doesn’t look like that, it wasn’t easy playing her.

“I’m just super happy to win this match in two sets.”

Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen staged a comeback aided in part by 20 aces to defeat Erika Andreeva 6-7 (3), 6-1, 6-2, with the Chinese winner coming on strong in the final set.

“When I entered the match today I felt the conditions pretty tough,” she said. “My body is not used to (it) yet.

“I felt slow reaction since the beginning. But the longer I stay on court, I see the balls better.

“I move my legs better, and I serve better. The more times I am on court, the more I feel the tennis was at least better than the first set.”

2017 finalist Madison Keys and Belgian Elise Mertens face off in the third round after both advanced past Australian opponents.

Keys defeated qualifier Moya Joint 6-4, 6-0 while Mertens beat  Ajla Tomljanovic 6-3, 6-2.

New York-born Spaniard Paula Badosa knocked out Taylor Townsend 6-3, 7-5 to reach the third round here for the first time.

 Her next opponent will be Romanian qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse, who upset reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova, 6-4, 7-5, sweeping the last four games of their second-rounder.

Harriet Dart tries to keep cool – by Mark Greenwood, International Sports Fotos Ltd

Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine handed Brit Harriet Dart a loss, 7-6 (10), 6-1. Ekaterina Alexandrova put out 16-year-old American Iva Jovic 4-6, 6-4, 7-5

Main photo Aryna Sabalenka winning first round match – by Mark Greenwood, International Sports Fotos Ltd