Elena Rybakina Opens US Open With Straight-Sets Win Over Thea Frodin

Elena Rybakina began her US Open campaign with a 6-3, 6-2 win over American wildcard Thea Frodin, returning successfully after a heel injury interrupted her previous tournament. BBC Sport reported that the second seed showed no signs of discomfort during a controlled opening-round performance in New York.

Watch the highlights:

The match was Rybakina’s first since she withdrew during her Cincinnati Masters quarter-final against Iga Swiatek last month. Her movement was not consistently tested by Frodin, but the 27-year-old was dominant on serve and controlled exchanges from the baseline. She dropped only three service points in the first set and recorded three consecutive love holds.

Rybakina did not face a break point until the sixth game of the second set, when she saved both opportunities. She converted her first three break points against Frodin and moved to within one game of victory with a set and 5-1 lead. Frodin delayed the finish by saving three match points with aces in her final service game.

The 17-year-old, ranked 585th in the world, was making her WTA Tour main-draw debut after winning the United States Tennis Association Girls’ 18s National Championship. She finished with 11 aces, while Rybakina closed the match with her sixth ace. BBC Sport said that final serve was also Rybakina’s tour-leading 363rd ace of the season.

Fitness remains an element of uncertainty for Rybakina despite the convincing scoreline. She said she had done little physical work or tennis practice in the buildup to the tournament and would assess her condition day by day. Her stated priority is recovery and listening to her body rather than looking too far ahead.

The result also kept Rybakina’s pursuit of the world number one ranking on course. She entered the tournament ranked second, 434 points behind Aryna Sabalenka. According to BBC Sport, Rybakina would rise to number one for the first time by reaching the semi-finals even if Sabalenka successfully defends the title. She could also take the top ranking through other results, but said her immediate focus was recovery and progressing one step at a time.