Rybakina Cruises Past Frodin in US Open Return From Heel Injury

Elena Rybakina made a convincing return from a heel injury at the US Open, beating 17-year-old American wildcard Thea Frodin 6-3, 6-2 in the first round. BBC Sport reported that the second seed showed no apparent discomfort in her first match since withdrawing during a Cincinnati Masters quarter-final last month.

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The 27-year-old arrived in New York as the world No. 2 and with an opportunity to reach No. 1 for the first time. According to the BBC, Rybakina trails Aryna Sabalenka by 434 ranking points and would take the top spot by reaching the semi-finals, even if Sabalenka successfully defends the title. She could also move to No. 1 regardless of her own finish if Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula all fail to win the tournament.

Rybakina said the ranking target was a source of motivation but stressed that her immediate focus remained recovery. Her participation at Flushing Meadows had been uncertain after she retired against Iga Swiatek in Cincinnati. She said she went seven days without playing tennis and was also limited in the movement work she could complete in the gym.

Once the rain-delayed match began, Rybakina quickly established control despite opening with a double fault. She lost only three points on serve in the first set and produced three consecutive love holds. Frodin did not earn a break point until the sixth game of the second set, when Rybakina saved both chances.

Rybakina was equally effective on return, converting her first three break points to build a one-set lead and move 5-1 ahead in the second. She finished the match with six aces, including one on match point. The final ace was her 363rd of the season, which BBC Sport identified as the leading total on the women’s tour.

Frodin, ranked No. 585, was making her WTA Tour main-draw debut after winning the United States Tennis Association Girls’ 18s National Championship. The teenager served 11 aces and saved three match points with aces in her final service game before Rybakina completed the straight-sets victory. Rybakina, a two-time major champion and this year’s Australian Open winner, will continue her pursuit of a second Grand Slam title of the season.