Overview
- Aryna Sabalenka is scheduled to open her bid for a third straight US Open title at 11:30 a.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 31, with the match set to open the day session on Arthur Ashe Stadium and shown on ESPN, ABC, ESPN+ and Fubo.
- Oddsmakers list Sabalenka as an overwhelming favorite for the opener, with BetMGM posting lopsided moneyline odds that reflect expectations she will advance comfortably.
- Barbora Krejcikova’s early first-round loss to Kamilla Rakhimova removed a projected third-round challenge and has made Sabalenka’s section of the draw less congested.
- Sabalenka arrives in New York having failed to reach the quarterfinals in her last three events and without a title since Miami, and analysts flag recurring on-court frustration as the main vulnerability to her title defense.
- The tournament’s wider storylines — top-seed shifts, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz’s high-profile matches, and a record prize pool — will shape scheduling and attention around Sabalenka as she seeks to protect her world No. 1 standing.