Elena Rybakina overcomes injury and rain delay to win at US Open 2026

When Elena Rybakina stepped onto Arthur Ashe Stadium after an almost four-hour rain delay, few knew how long she could last. Less than two weeks ago, the world No. 2 had retired in Cincinnati due to a left ankle injury. Yet, just 74 minutes later, Rybakina walked off the court with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Iva Frodin, an 18-year-old American wild card. This was Rybakina's first match since her retirement in Cincinnati. Her return raised questions about fitness and form, especially given the punishing hard courts of Flushing Meadows. But Rybakina proved she knows how to manage a match intelligently. Rybakina's tactical plan was clear: maximize her serve and first-strike aggression to shorten rallies. She served without faltering, maintaining her composure despite the 3-hour-45-minute rain delay. Statistics show she hit 17 winners against 11 unforced errors, a ratio of 1.55 – above the WTA average but not dominant. Crucially, she did not lose a single service game. This is vital for a player returning from injury, as it reduces physical and mental pressure. However, Rybakina's opponent, Iva Frodin, also had a noteworthy day. The 18-year-old, a former body double for Serena Williams in the film 'King Richard', earned her US Open wild card by winning the USTA Girls' 18 National Championships. In this match, she fired 11 aces – an impressive number against one of the best servers on tour. Yet Frodin also committed 21 unforced errors against only 19 winners, highlighting the inconsistency of a developing player. But if she can improve her control, her potential is enormous. While Rybakina won relatively comfortably, other title contenders also had notable performances. Coco Gauff, the 2026 US Open champion, defeated Zeynep Sonmez 6-2, 6-4. Gauff led 5-0 in aces, but she faced 5 break points. This is a yellow flag, as Sonmez is not a strong returner. If Gauff faces stronger opponents in later rounds, the pressure on her serve could become a problem. Mirra Andreeva, the 19-year-old Russian who just won Roland Garros 2026, delivered a dominant performance: 6-2, 6-2 in just 69 minutes. This is the strongest form signal of the day. Andreeva is proving she is not a one-hit wonder, but a genuine Grand Slam contender. If she maintains this form, she could become the youngest player to win two Slams in a single season since the 2000s. Madison Keys, the American home favorite, also won but with a negative winner/unforced error ratio: 21 winners and 30 errors. This high-risk style is trademark Keys. She can win, but against stronger opponents, this approach is fragile. Meanwhile, Maria Sakkari staged an impressive comeback: losing the first set 2-6, then trailing 2-0 in the second, before winning 7-5, 6-2. However, allowing a weaker opponent to take such a lead is a concern for consistency. The biggest upset of the day was No. 12 seed Belinda Bencic losing to Yulia Putintseva. Bencic is returning from maternity leave, and this loss shows she has not yet regained top form. Putintseva played a smart match and exploited Bencic's instability. This opens up the draw significantly. Returning to Rybakina, the opportunity to become world No. 1 is clear. If she reaches the semifinals, she will overtake Aryna Sabalenka to claim the top spot. This would be Rybakina's first time at No. 1, and also her first time advancing past the third round at the US Open – a surprising gap in her career. With her serve and composure, she can do it. But the ankle injury remains an unknown. Hard courts are the most punishing surface for such injuries. In the first round, a weak opponent made it easier, but later rounds will be much tougher. In terms of tournament structure, the US Open is the final Grand Slam of the year, with a record prize pool. Rybakina's chance to claim No. 1 at Flushing Meadows makes for a compelling narrative. She is on the verge of history, needing just four more wins to make it happen. In summary, the first day of the US Open 2026 brought positive signals and warnings. Rybakina showed maturity in match management, Gauff had serve instability, Andreeva displayed dominant form, and Keys continued her emotional style. The road to the title in New York remains full of obstacles, and Rybakina must prove she can overcome greater challenges if she wants to reach the top for the first time.