Elena Rybakina shakes off injury concerns to reach US Open second round

Elena Rybakina shakes off injury concerns to reach US Open second round

Elena Rybakina overcame a four-hour rain delay and injury concerns before reaching the second round of the US OPen after beating 17-year-old wild card Thea Frodin 6-3 6-2.

World number 2 Rybakina retired in the first set of her Cincinnati quarter-final match against Iga Swiatek, but showed no signs of the ankle injury as she dispatched her younger opponent.

Rybakina seemed intent on securing the top spot on her own terms with a clean, focused performance on Grandstand.

Frodin was playing the first tour-level main draw of her career after earning a wild card with victory at this month's USTA Girls' 18s National Championships, and showed flashes of potential with a powerful game anchored around a formidable serve.

It was a first Grand Slam contest for Frodin, and the teenager acquitted herself well firing in 11 aces against her accomplished opponent.

Throughout the contest, there had been no sign of any discomfort to Rybakina's ankle - though the paucity of extended rallies meant that her movement was rarely put to the test.

At stake this fortnight could be the Australian Open champion's rise to No. 1 for the first time.

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