World number one Aryna Sabalenka needed just 54 minutes to qualify for the fourth round of the Cincinnati Open.
Sabalenka did not give away any break points in a straight-set victory 6-1 6-3 against China’s Wang Xinyu.
The Belarusian conceded just six points in eight service games and made five unforced errors as compared to 17 winners, per BBC Sports.
This was the easiest victory of Sabalenka in some time after losing her fourth-round encounter at Wimbledon and a first-round match in Canada earlier this week.
“To get this win in under an hour [is] an insane result and I’m so happy to be through,” the 28-year-old said.
“I think I really trusted myself and I was going for my shots without overthinking.
“That was the weapon of tonight’s match.”
Sabalenka is the double defending champion at the US Open, which will start on Sunday, 30 August.
Since Serena Williams in 2014, no woman has won the New York trophy three consecutive times.
Sabalenka is also challenged by Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina for her world number one spot.
Fourth-time major singles champion Sabalenka held a 354-point lead over Rybakina heading into Cincinnati.
Rybakina must reach the final in order to be in contention with Sabalenka. Sabalenka must make the quarter-finals while Rybakina must lift the trophy to claim the world number one ranking.
Sabalenka will play against Sara Bejlek of the Czech Republic for a berth in the quarter-finals.
