The Kazakh player defeats Jessica Bouzas Maneiro to reach the third round and move closer to the top spot
Category: Sports
Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina moved a step closer to becoming the world’s No. 1 player for the first time with a straight-sets victory over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro on September 3, 2026, at the US Open. Rybakina's impressive performance saw her win 6-2, 6-4, thereby reaching the third round of the prestigious tournament held at Flushing Meadows.
Rybakina, currently ranked No. 2 in the world, is now just three wins away from claiming the top ranking by reaching the semifinals in New York. Her victory against Bouzas Maneiro marked a continuation of her strong form, following her success at the Australian Open earlier this year, where she secured her second Grand Slam title.
In the match, Rybakina broke her opponent twice to claim the first set in just half an hour. She established a commanding lead, going up 3-0 early on. In the second set, she maintained the pressure, winning three of the first four games. Rybakina was serving for the match at 5-3 when she faced a momentary setback, allowing Bouzas Maneiro to break her serve. Nevertheless, Rybakina quickly regrouped, breaking back in the next game to close out the match in 1 hour, 8 minutes.
Rybakina’s performance showcased her powerful groundstrokes and effective serving, with a first serve percentage of 65% and winning 81% of her first serve points. In comparison, Bouzas Maneiro only managed to win 53% of her first serve points. This victory was Rybakina’s second win against Bouzas Maneiro in as many matches on the WTA Tour.
The match was not without its challenges for Rybakina, who had been dealing with a left heel injury leading up to the tournament. "I'm super glad, super happy to be here," Rybakina said after the match, expressing her relief at performing well after a difficult lead-up to the event. "I was a bit upset watching everybody practice preparing for the tournament, and I was just doing all possible recovery and gym. I'm super happy to be here." This statement reflects her determination and competitive spirit, especially after having to retire from the Cincinnati Open due to her injury.
Looking ahead, Rybakina will face Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva in the third round. This match is particularly notable as it is a rematch of their second-round encounter at the French Open earlier this year, which Starodubtseva won in a thrilling fashion. In that match, Rybakina had rallied from a 3-0 deficit in the deciding set but was unable to secure the win, losing 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (10-4).
With her eyes set on the semifinals, Rybakina must navigate through the next rounds successfully to secure her spot as the world’s top player. A victory over Starodubtseva, who is currently ranked No. 58 in the world, would be a key step in that direction. Rybakina holds a perfect record on hard courts this year against players ranked outside the top 50, boasting a 12-0 record in completed matches against such opponents.
Rybakina's performance at the US Open is particularly important as it marks the first time all ten top seeds have reached the third round of a Grand Slam since the 2021 US Open. This statistic highlights the competitive nature of the tournament this year, with Rybakina positioned to take advantage of this unique scenario.
As the tournament progresses, Rybakina’s focus will remain on maintaining her form and overcoming any physical challenges. The next match against Starodubtseva will take place in the coming days, and Rybakina will look to avenge her earlier loss. With the stakes high, fans and analysts alike are eager to see if she can continue her pursuit of the No. 1 ranking.
In the broader picture, Rybakina's success at the US Open could redefine her career, potentially elevating her status in women's tennis even higher. As she aims to become the first Kazakh woman to hold the top spot in the WTA rankings, the anticipation surrounding her matches will undoubtedly grow.
Rybakina's next match against Yuliia Starodubtseva is set to be a highly anticipated encounter, with the winner moving one step closer to the semifinals and the coveted top ranking. Fans will follow closely closely as Rybakina continues her campaign at the US Open, hoping for a strong performance that could lead to her ultimate goal.