Rybakina makes winning start in race to number one
Tennis player Elena Rybakina has secured a winning start at the US Open, keeping her hopes alive for the world number one ranking. Despite recent injury concerns, she dominated her first-round match against Thea Frodin.
Why it matters
The race for the world number one ranking in professional tennis is a significant narrative in global sports media.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, World number two Rybakina is targeting her second major of the year after winning the Australian Open
Elena Rybakina says she is "motivated" by the race to become world number one but is simply taking things "day by day" after getting her US Open campaign off to a winning start.
Playing for the first time since withdrawing midway through her Cincinnati Masters quarter-final with a heel injury last month, Rybakina showed no signs of discomfort as she eased to a dominant 6-3 6-2 win over 17-year-old wildcard Thea Frodin.
The 27-year-old second seed trails Aryna Sabalenka by just 434 points in the world rankings and will become number one for the first time by reaching the semi-finals in New York – even if Sabalenka defends her title.
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