Aryna Sabalenka cut short questions about her pre-tournament activities in an excruciating exchange with a reporter following her second-round win.
The two-time defending champion thrashed Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko 6-1 6-1 in 53 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The Belarusian, who had faced a similar line of questioning after her first-round win, fired back that her off-court appearances had not come at the expense of her preparations for the Grand Slam.
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Sabalenka – a regular poster on social media at the various events she attends and with the brands she works with – replied: “You guys are, like, a joke.
“Parties, fun. Like, why would you even say that? Why would you even think about that? What kind of question is that?
“Just because I posted, like, some activities with brands, and you think that I’ve been partying, not training? The question, like, what is that?”
When the reporter responded: “I’m saying that there are a lot of events and things like that. I’m not saying you go to the parties,” Sabalenka interrupted: “You literally said that. Next question.”
The reporter replied: “For everyone who is unclear, I’m not suggesting that Aryna is having fun at these parties.”
“Thanks, yeah,” came the response.
“I’m saying that she makes a lot of appearances and there’s a lot to do and lots of events, OK?” said the reporter.
“OK. Move on,” replied Sabalenka.
She was then asked: “So, now that the tournament has started, do you find you’re getting quite serious and combative?”
Sabalanka replied: “Oh, yeah, I wasn’t serious before that. Next question. Think before you say stuff.”
The world No 1, seeking a third straight title in New York to emulate Serena Williams and Chris Evert, faces Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova on Friday looking for a 17th consecutive win at Flushing Meadows.
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After her first-round win Sabalenka said she was tired of people’s negativity towards her with everything she does both on and off the court
Alcaraz makes US Open third round
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Carlos Alcaraz shrugged off losing the first set to dominate the next three and beat Portugal’s Jaime Faria
Carlos Alcaraz’s comeback from a long wrist injury layoff gathered momentum as he came from behind to outclass Portugal’s Jaime Faria 4-6 6-0 6-3 6-2 and reach the third round.
The defending champion rebounded from a quick deficit by winning eight straight games and beat Faria.
“After that I just tried to be focused, tried to stay calm and I’m thinking that good things are going to happen again,” said Alcaraz, who is on a 16-match winning streak in Grand Slam tournaments.
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Peruvian Ignacio Buse added a new chapter to his family’s US Open story as he came through a five-setter to earn a maiden victory and follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, who last won a match at the tournament in 1958.
The 32nd seed beat American Marcos Giron 3-6 6-3 6-3 6-7(6) 6-1 after three hours and 48 minutes on Court Six, finishing off the match with a backhand volley to spark loud cheers from his team and fans in the stands.
“It’s difficult to find the calm in those situations, but in the fifth set, I just tried to recover mentally,” Ignacio said.
“It’s a mental battle out there. I just stayed calm. It’s a very special moment.”
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Stefanos Tsitsipas survived a battle against South Africa’s Lloyd Harris, recovering from a set down to clinch a 6-7 (1-7) 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 victory. The Greek player, who stunned 10th seed Arthur Fils in the first round, next faces Czech 18th seed Jiri Lehecka.
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American 11th seed Frances Tiafoe beat Japanese qualifier Rei Sakamoto 6-3 7-6 (7-2) 7-5, keeping alive the country’s hopes of ending a 23-year wait for a home men’s champion in New York.
The US Open is live on Sky Sports from August 30. Stream tennis with no contract on NOW and the Sky Sports App. You can also watch the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from 25-27 September live on Sky Sports.