Sports | World No. 2 Sabalenka Falls to Qualifier at US Open
Senior Technology Correspondent · AI, startups & MeitY policy
2 min read
Quick summary
World number two Aryna Sabalenka suffered a shocking second-round defeat at the US Open, losing to unseeded Czech qualifier Renata Pokorna. Pokorna's 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 victory marks her first career win over a top-five player.
Shock on Armstrong
World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka is out of the US Open. She lost to Czech qualifier Renata Pokorna in the second round. The final score was 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 for Pokorna. This was a big upset on Louis Armstrong Stadium. Pokorna, an unseeded player, had to win special matches just to get into the main tournament. Today was her first time beating a player ranked in the top five globally. Sabalenka came into this tournament as the reigning Australian Open champion. Her early exit is a major surprise. It shakes up the women's singles draw quickly.Other Favourites Advance
Elsewhere, defending champion Coco Gauff played strongly. Gauff moved into the third round with a clear 6-1, 6-2 win over Su-Wei Hsieh. She looked in good form. Third seed Jannik Sinner also moved ahead. He had a much tougher path, though. Sinner battled for over four hours to beat Brandon Nakashima in five sets. He won 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-7(2), 7-5, 6-3. Sabalenka's early exit shows that anything can happen at a Grand Slam event. No player is safe, no matter their ranking.Key Takeaways
- Aryna Sabalenka, the world number two, was eliminated from the US Open.
- Unseeded Czech qualifier Renata Pokorna secured her first top-five player victory, winning 6-4, 3-6, 7-5.
- The major upset happened on , during the second round.
- Defending champion Coco Gauff and third seed Jannik Sinner both advanced in their respective matches.
People also ask
- Who beat Sabalenka at the US Open?
- Renata Pokorna, a Czech qualifier, beat Aryna Sabalenka in the second round.
- What was the score?
- No — Pokorna won 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 in three sets. The match was played on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
- Is Pokorna a top player?
- No, she's an unseeded qualifier; this was her first win against a top-five player.
- So, what does this mean for Sabalenka?
- The reigning Australian Open champion, Sabalenka, is now out of the US Open; her tournament run ended early.
Related in this section
Newzvia·30 Sept 2026
Manchester United Edge Arsenal 2-1, Enter Top Four
Manchester United secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Arsenal at Old Trafford. A late header from Rasmus Højlund sealed the win, pushing United into the Premier League's top four.
Read article
Newzvia·28 Sept 2026
Man Utd edge Arsenal 3-2 in Old Trafford showdown
Manchester United beat Arsenal 3-2 at Old Trafford on Sunday. Bruno Fernandes scored twice, giving United a big boost for the Premier League title.
Read article
Newzvia·26 Sept 2026
United Stunned by Brighton at Old Trafford
Brighton & Hove Albion beat Manchester United 2-1 at Old Trafford today. Kaoru Mitoma's late winner puts significant pressure on United's early Premier League campaign.
Read article
Newzvia·23 Sept 2026
Arsenal Seals Key UCL Win at Bayern Munich
Arsenal secured a vital 2-1 away victory against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League. This result puts the Gunners at the top of their group, marking a strong start to their European campaign.
Read article
Newzvia·20 Sept 2026
Liverpool’s Perfect Start Continues with West Ham Win
Liverpool secured a comfortable 3-0 victory against West Ham United at Anfield, extending their winning streak to five Premier League matches. Goals from Núñez, Salah, and Mac Allister kept their perfect record intact this season.
Read article
Newzvia·18 Sept 2026
Arsenal's Saka Out: Three Weeks, Crucial Games Missed
Star winger Bukayo Saka will miss about three weeks for Arsenal due to a hamstring injury. This absence rules him out of vital upcoming Premier League and Champions League matches.
Read article