Overview

• Aryna Sabalenka defeated Rebeka Masarova 7-5, 6-1 after saving early break points and turning the match in her favor.
• She finished with 20 winners against 16 unforced errors and will face Polina Kudermetova in the second round.
• Rennae Stubbs recently warned on her podcast that Sabalenka’s erratic form could keep her from reaching the quarterfinals.
• Stubbs cited wild misses and uneven stretches in practice, noting episodes like unexpectedly long mid-court forehands.
• The world No. 1 is defending the title and 2000 ranking points, a rare repeat bid in a draw where recent majors featured high error counts and a Cincinnati loss to Elena Rybakina.