New York, Sept. 5 -- Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka began her US Open 2026 title defence emphatically, securing straight-set victories to book her place in the round of 16.

She beat Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4 in the third round, according to a release. As she continues her campaign in New York, Sabalenka reflected on the competitive nature of tennis and how the constant challenge from her opponents motivates her to keep improving.

Speaking in an interview shared by JioStar, Sabalenka said competing against strong opponents keeps her motivated and pushes her to improve.

"Competition always pushes you to get better. That's what I love about tennis, when someone is chasing you or when you're the one being chased. It keeps you...