US Open 2026 Results: Elena Rybakina Makes Winning Start in Race to World Number One – BBC Sport
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Rybakina makes winning start in race to number one
- World number two Rybakina is targeting her second major of the year after winning the Australian Open.
By Elizabeth Botcherby, BBC Sport journalist
Published 21 minutes ago
Elena Rybakina expressed her motivation to become world number one while acknowledging the need to take "one step at a time" in her US Open campaign. Playing for the first time since withdrawing from the Cincinnati Masters quarter-final with a heel injury last month, Rybakina dominated Thea Frodin, winning 6-3 6-2.
The 27-year-old second seed trails Aryna Sabalenka by just 434 points in the world rankings and can become number one by reaching the US Open semi-finals – even if Sabalenka defends her title.
"I’m definitely motivated [to become world number one]," said Rybakina, who closed the gap on Sabalenka significantly earlier in the year. "It will be an amazing achievement but it’s still too far…"
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Rybakina, a two-time Grand Slam winner, had question marks around her fitness after her injury in Cincinnati. Though she looked comfortable against the wildcard Frodin, her movement was largely untested as she blasted Frodin away on serve and controlled points from the baseline.
"It’s just one step at a time," Rybakina said regarding her recovery. "The most important thing is to recover and listen to the body."
