Rybakina advances at US Open after injury-hit buildup

Elena Rybakina moved into the second round of the US Open with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over American wildcard Thea Frodin on Tuesday, easing immediate concerns about the leg injury that disrupted her preparation for the final Grand Slam of the year. Reuters reported that the second seed completed the win at Flushing Meadows after a lengthy rain delay.

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Rybakina had retired from her Cincinnati tune-up event after sustaining the injury while serving. She said medical staff established that her Achilles tendon was not broken, but lingering pain left her participation in New York uncertain. The Kazakh player went seven days without tennis and was also limited in the movement work she could complete in the gym during her recovery.

Once play began, Rybakina established control against an opponent making both her Grand Slam main-draw debut and her first appearance at tour level. She broke serve in the sixth game on her way to taking the opening set, then maintained her advantage through the second. Rybakina finished the match with an ace.

Frodin, 17, still produced several notable moments in front of the Grandstand crowd. Reuters reported that she struck 11 aces and saved three match points with consecutive aces in the penultimate game. The American had also worked as the tennis-playing double portraying a young Serena Williams in the film “King Richard.” Fans waited nearly four hours through the weather delay before the match got under way.

The result allowed Rybakina, a two-time Grand Slam champion and the reigning Australian Open winner, to begin her pursuit of both the US Open title and the world No. 1 ranking. She reported feeling fine immediately after the match but said her condition would continue to be assessed day by day, particularly after the increased movement demanded by her first competitive outing since the injury.

Rybakina is scheduled to face either Czech player Darja Vidmanova or Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the second round. Her opening performance provided a clean result after an uncertain buildup, though the physical response in the days ahead remains an important factor in her tournament campaign.