Aryna Sabalenka made a confident start to her pursuit of a third consecutive US Open title with a straight-sets victory over Colombia’s Camila Osorio.

The world number one won 6-2, 6-4 at Arthur Ashe Stadium to advance comfortably to the second round.

Sabalenka is attempting to become one of the few women in the professional era to win three consecutive US Open singles titles.

If successful, she would join Serena Williams and Chris Evert in achieving the feat.

The Belarusian entered the tournament looking to regain momentum after a more difficult second half of the season.

She had not reached a final since winning consecutive titles at Indian Wells and the Miami Open in March.

Against Osorio, however, Sabalenka quickly established control with the aggressive tennis that has become one of the defining features of her game.

She finished the match with 32 winners and repeatedly put Osorio under pressure from the baseline.

Osorio handed Sabalenka an early advantage with a double fault in the third game of the opening set.

Sabalenka then secured another break to move 4-1 ahead.

The Colombian recovered one of the breaks in the following game, but she was unable to sustain the momentum.

Sabalenka broke again in the seventh game, using a well-placed drop shot to create another decisive opening.

She went on to take the first set 6-2.

Both players exchanged early breaks in the second set as Osorio attempted to make the contest more competitive.

Sabalenka remained patient and gradually wore down her opponent’s defence.

The decisive moment arrived in the ninth game when the top seed secured another break to move within one game of victory.

She then served out the match, closing it with an unreturnable delivery.

Afterwards, Sabalenka said she was pleased with the level of her performance and with the concentration she maintained throughout the contest.

She also spoke warmly about Arthur Ashe Stadium, describing it as one of her favourite venues and a court where she has experienced some of the best moments of her career.

Sabalenka will next face Russia’s Polina Iatcenko in the second round.

Her campaign in New York carries significance beyond her attempt to win another Grand Slam title.

Sabalenka is also defending her position at the top of the world rankings, with several players in the women’s draw still capable of overtaking her during the tournament.

For now, the defending champion has made the kind of composed opening she would have wanted as she begins another US Open title challenge.