Elena Rybakina, the second seed from Kazakhstan, continued her strong performance at the US Open by defeating Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro with a score of 6-2, 6-4, in the second round on Thursday. Rybakina's powerful ground strokes and effective serving proved too much for Bouzas Maneiro, who struggled to keep pace throughout the match.
From the outset, Rybakina displayed her dominant form, hitting deep and heavy shots that consistently put her opponent on the defensive. Despite a lingering left heel injury that had raised concerns about her fitness leading into the tournament, Rybakina moved fluidly on the court and showed no signs of discomfort.
Although Rybakina faced a brief challenge when she was broken while serving for the match at 5-3, she quickly regained control. Responding with a powerful return game, Rybakina broke Bouzas Maneiro's serve immediately, sealing the match in just over an hour. After the victory, Rybakina expressed her delight, stating, "I’m super glad, super happy to be here," and emphasized her pride in her performance given her less-than-ideal preparation.
The 2022 Wimbledon champion, Rybakina has been in fine form leading up to the US Open, having reached the finals in Toronto and winning matches in Cincinnati. However, her journey in Cincinnati was cut short when she had to retire in the quarter-finals due to her heel injury, leaving her fitness a question mark as she entered the year's final Grand Slam.
Now, Rybakina is just three wins away from securing a spot in the semi-finals, which would also ensure her ascension to the top of the WTA rankings, overtaking Aryna Sabalenka. Her best performance at the US Open came in 2025 when she reached the fourth round, ultimately losing to Marketa Vondrousova.
In her next match, Rybakina will face Ukrainian Yuliia Starodubtseva, who recently pulled off an upset by defeating Maria Sakkari with a score of 1-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2. This upcoming encounter is particularly significant for Rybakina, as Starodubtseva had previously stunned her in the second round of the Roland Garros earlier this year. Rybakina will be looking for redemption as she aims to advance further in the tournament.
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