Rybakina passes first US Open test

Elena Rybakina began her US Open campaign with a straight-sets win, defeating American teenager Thea Frodin 6-3, 6-2 in New York.

The world No. 2 from Kazakhstan entered the tournament with questions over her left heel after withdrawing from the Cincinnati quarterfinals. She said the injury had made the first days of recovery difficult, leaving her unable to walk normally and forcing her to limit practice and gym work.

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I am happy with this match. When you do not know your opponent, it can always be dangerous, but overall I am happy with my first performance and how it went.

Rybakina said a physiotherapist in Cincinnati had confirmed that the injury did not involve a tear to the Achilles tendon. Even so, she was unsure whether she would be fit to compete in New York and approached the recovery one day at a time.

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This is a great result after 10 days with an injury like that.

“I am happy with this match. When you do not know your opponent, it can always be dangerous, but overall I am happy with my first performance and how it went,” Rybakina said. “This is a great result after 10 days with an injury like that.”

She played cleanly against Frodin, whose powerful shots lacked consistency, and completed the win without dropping a set. Rybakina said she felt fine for now but would assess her condition each day, including how she felt after waking up following a match that required considerable movement.

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During my serve, I realised I could not push off with that leg. So it was impossible to continue playing.

“During my serve, I realised I could not push off with that leg. So it was impossible to continue playing,” she said of the injury. “After that, we started the recovery process and did not know whether I would be able to play here or not. We took it day by day.”

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After that, we started the recovery process and did not know whether I would be able to play here or not. We took it day by day.