Elena Rybakina advanced to the second round of the US Open on Tuesday, defeating American teenager Thea Frodin 6-3, 6-2 in just under an hour and a quarter at Flushing Meadows in New York. Playing her first match since sustaining a left ankle injury during the quarterfinals at Cincinnati two weeks prior, the second-seeded Kazakhstani controlled the baseline exchanges and capitalized on unforced errors from her 17-year-old opponent.
Controlling the Match from the Baseline
Rybakina navigated her opening-round encounter efficiently, needing only 75 minutes to dispatch Frodin, who entered the tournament ranked 585th in the world. According to match statistics, Rybakina converted her sole break point of the opening set at 3-2 to gain the upper hand. She immediately broke serve again to open the second set and maintained her advantage to the finish line.
Despite hitting 11 aces, Frodin struggled to contain the reigning Australian Open champion in prolonged rallies, committing 21 unforced errors compared to just 11 for Rybakina. The winner of the 2022 Wimbledon title also held a 3-0 advantage in service breaks and finished off the straight-sets victory with her sixth ace of the match.
Physical Status and Tournament Context
Questions lingered regarding Rybakina’s mobility after her recent withdrawal in Cincinnati due to her left foot and ankle discomfort. While she sported a wide medical bandage extending up her left calf during Tuesday’s match, she displayed little physical restriction during baseline movements.
With the win, Rybakina joins a crowded field of top contenders in the second round, including top-ranked defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, third-seeded American Jessica Pegula, and eighth-seeded Iga Swiatek. Tournament projections indicate that if Rybakina reaches the semifinals in New York, she will claim the world No. 1 ranking in the WTA standings for the first time in her career at age 27. She is also guaranteed the top spot if neither Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, nor Jessica Pegula captures the championship.
Next Opponent and Schedule
For a place in the third round, Rybakina will face either Czech player Darja Vidmanova, ranked 75th, or Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, ranked 105th.
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