Elena Rybakina routinely handled the job in her opening US Open match as the No. 9 seed annihilated American wildcard Julieta Pareja 6-3 6-0 in just over an hour of play.
At the start of the match, the Kazakh earned a break in the fourth game - missed out on two consecutive set points at 5-2 on Pareja's serve - but routinely served out for the opener in the ninth game. After taking the opener, the 2022 Wimbledon champion absolutely dominated the second set, breaking the American three times and not facing a single break point.
In the US Open second round, Rybakina plays against Tereza Valentova. The former world No. 3 and the 18-year-old Czech have no previous meetings.
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Rybakina praised Pareja and addressed Stefano Vukov's return
Pareja, who is currently ranked at No. 335 in the world and has never been ranked higher than No. 317, is just starting her career. Last year, she won a Futures tournament in Rancho Santa Fe.
Really happy with the win. Shes really young and I think she played really well for her age. Nice technique. I think she has a great future ahead. Im just happy today the serve was working pretty well. First match is never easy. Overall happy with the win. Thank you so much for coming and supporting," Rybakina said of Pareja.
Earlier this month, coach Vukov successfully appealed the WTA's ban and he was cleared to return to coaching Rybakina. The 26-year-old Kazakh was asked about "recent shifts" in her team.
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Im really happy with my team. Working well and I think I lately had good results. Of course, we aim for more, but slowly, step by step its getting better and better. Hopefully I can show good tennis and stay as long as I can," the No. 9 seed said.
A bit stunningly, Rybakina has never made it past the third round at the US Open.
