Elena Rybakina kicked off her US Open campaign with a solid 6-3, 6-2 victory over 17-year-old wildcard Thea Frodin. The 27-year-old, who is the second seed at the tournament, had previously withdrawn from the Cincinnati Masters due to a heel injury. However, she showed no signs of lingering discomfort during her match against Frodin, who was making her debut in the main draw of a WTA Tour event after winning the USTA Girls' 18s National Championship. Rybakina currently trails Aryna Sabalenka by 434 points in the world rankings. If she reaches the semi-finals at the US Open, she could potentially become the world number one, even if Sabalenka successfully defends her title. This would also happen if none of Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, or Jessica Pegula win the tournament. Rybakina admitted she is motivated by the race for the top ranking, but she emphasized that her focus is on taking each match "one step at a time." She noted that she had opportunities in the past to achieve the number one spot but had faced setbacks. In preparation for the US Open, Rybakina said she wasn't playing or training as intensely as usual, highlighting the importance of recovery and listening to her body. The match, which was delayed by rain, started with a double fault from Rybakina but quickly turned into a demonstration of her relentless serving. She dropped just three points in the first set and took three consecutive love holds, showcasing her control on serve. In the second set, she faced her first break point in the sixth game and saved both, further underlining her composure under pressure. Frodin, despite being the underdog, made Rybakina work hard for the win. She saved three match points with aces in her final service game, including 11 aces across the match. Rybakina ultimately sealed the win with her own ace, her sixth of the match and the 363rd of the season, which is a tour-leading total. Rybakina praised Frodin for her performance, noting her strong shots and serve, and acknowledged that the match was not an easy victory.