New York: Top seed Aryna Sabalenka coasted into the third round of the US Open on Wednesday, dispatching Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 in a dominant display.

Sabalenka hit winners almost effortlessly past Iatcenko, a 22-year-old making her debut in a Grand Slam main draw.

"Night atmosphere is always the best atmosphere," Sabalenka said.

A four-time Grand Slam winner who claimed back-to-back titles in New York over the last two years, Sabalenka thrives on the hard courts at Flushing Meadows.

However, she has experienced a difficult stretch in recent months, suffering unexpected early exits at both the French Open and Wimbledon alongside modest results in US Open tune-up events.

Facing the 160th-ranked Iatcenko, Sabalenka sprinted to a 5-0 lead before her opponent managed to hold serve.

Sabalenka conceded just four points on serve during the opening set and suffered only one service break in the second set, which gave Iatcenko her solitary game. Sabalenka responded by reeling off the next three games to wrap up the match.

After securing her 15th consecutive victory at Flushing Meadows, Sabalenka told reporters she felt mentally "way stronger than I was in the middle of the season" as well as physically improved.

"I'm happy with my level. I've been working really hard, but I feel like I'm moving away from trying to be perfect on court," she said.

"I know that you cannot be perfect, and I'm just trying to work with what I have right now," added Sabalenka, who moves on to face 92nd-ranked Kamilla Rakhhimova of Uzbekistan in the third round.

AFP