Rybakina opens move No. 1 with victory as Musetti ends Fery’s US Open

Elena Rybakina and Lorenzo Musetti have started their US Open campaigns well, both easing their opening round matches in straight sets. Second-seeded Rybakina beat 17-year-old wild card Thea Frodin 6-3, 6-2, while 13th-seeded Musetti defeated Britain’s Arthur Fery 6-3, 6-3, 7-5.

Rybakina played for the first time since leaving with a heel injury during the quarterfinals in Cincinnati against Igo Swiatek. There were few signs of discomfort in New York, however, as the Kazakh dominated on serve and controlled the match from the baseline.

The result also kept Rybakin’s push for the world number one ranking firmly alive. She lags behind Aryna Sabalenková by 434 points, and by participating in the semifinals, she will move to the top for the first time, even if Sabalenková successfully defends the title.

“I’m definitely motivated (to become world No. 1),” Rybakina said. “It will be an amazing achievement, but it’s still too far away and I have to focus on tomorrow’s day off, recovery and just keep going.”

RYBAKINA TAKES IT DAY BY DAY

Rybakina was worried about whether she would even be able to compete in New York after her failure in Cincinnati. She revealed that she spent seven days without tennis and also limited her gym work due to the injury.

“We didn’t know if (I would) play here or not. I’m pretty happy to be playing now and we’re taking it day by day,” she said.

The 27-year-old was merciless against Frodin, dropping just three service points in the first set and saving both break points she faced in the second. She finished with six aces, including the one that sealed the victory, bringing her season to a tour-leading 363.

Frodin, making her WTA Tour main draw debut, saved three ace match points before Rybaka closed the contest for good.

MUSETTI ENDS FERY’S RUN

Musetti, meanwhile, ended Fery’s hopes of extending his remarkable run after the Briton reached the Wimbledon semi-finals earlier this year and followed that up by reaching the Winston-Salem final last week.

The Italian took advantage of Fery’s double faults to break late in the opening set before controlling the second with a backhand and baseline movement. Fery threatened a comeback shortly after the break in the third, but Musetti responded immediately.

The 13th seed had to deal with pressure on serve twice for the match but broke through after Fery equalized and eventually sealed victory with an unconverted serve.

“I stuck to the game plan, I’m really happy after missing the last two Grand Slams (due to injury),” Musetti said.

In the second round, he will face Australian wild Dan Sweeney, who is looking to build on his run in New York.

– The end

Issued by:

Debodinna Chakraborty

Published on:

02 Sep 2026 06:50 IST