In Round 2 of the US Open, Elena Rybakina and Tereza Valentova battled not only for a place in the last 32 but also for the chance to face Emma Raducanu in the next round. What unfolded was a gripping contest of power and resilience, with Rybakina showcasing her top-10 pedigree to come through in straight sets, despite heavy resistance from the Czech teenaged qualifier.
Set 1 – Rybakina absorbs early pressure, finishes strong
The opener saw Rybakina tested immediately. Serving first, she was dragged through multiple deuces and saved several break points before finally holding. Valentova responded with a love hold, signaling her intent. The pair exchanged games until Valentova made the first breakthrough, breaking Rybakina for 3–2.
But the response was immediate. Rybakina broke back, steadied on serve, and began to dictate the rallies with more authority. From 2–3 down, she swept four of the next five games, breaking again at 5–3 and serving out the set to love, 6–3.
Set 2 – Valentova surges, Rybakina turns it around in style
The second set opened in chaos, with four consecutive breaks of serve. Once the dust settled, Valentova looked the stronger, striking cleanly to earn a 5–2 lead and seemingly on the verge of forcing a deciding set.
Yet Rybakina’s champion instincts took over. Refusing to panic, she broke back with precise returns, held firmly, and reeled off three straight games to level at 5–5. Valentova managed to hold for 6–5, but Rybakina forced a tiebreak with another composed service game.
The breaker began in Valentova’s favor as she raced to a 3–1 lead, but Rybakina’s firepower proved decisive at the ned. Winning five of the last seven points and facing two set points, the Kazakh star sealed the set 7–6(9-7) and the match in straight sets.
Rybakina vs Valentova – Full Match Stats
| Statistic | Rybakina | Valentova |
|---|---|---|
| Dominance Ratio | 1.11 | 0.90 |
| Winners | 18 | 14 |
| Unforced Errors | 22 | 22 |
| Serve Rating | 245 | 219 |
| Aces | 4 | 2 |
| Double Faults | 2 | 7 |
| 1st Serve % | 55% (42/77) | 51% (34/67) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 71% (30/42) | 65% (22/34) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 44% (16/36) | 48% (16/33) |
| Break Points Saved | 67% (6/9) | 43% (3/7) |
| Service Games | 73% (8/11) | 60% (6/10) |
| Ace % | 5.2% | 3% |
| Double Fault % | 2.6% | 10.4% |
| Return Rating | 184 | 145 |
| 1st Return Points Won | 35% (12/34) | 29% (12/42) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 52% (17/33) | 56% (20/36) |
| Break Points Won | 57% (4/7) | 33% (3/9) |
| Return Games | 40% (4/10) | 27% (3/11) |
| Pressure Points | 63% (10/16) | 38% (6/16) |
| Service Points | 58% (45/77) | 54% (36/67) |
| Return Points | 46% (31/67) | 42% (32/77) |
| Net Points | 67% (8/12) | 80% (4/5) |
| Total Points | 53% (76/144) | 47% (68/144) |
| Match Points Saved | 0 | 0 |
| Max Points In A Row | 8 | 6 |
| Total Service Games | 73% (8/11) | 60% (6/10) |
| Total Return Games | 40% (4/10) | 27% (3/11) |
| Total Games | 57% (12/21) | 43% (9/21) |
| Max Games In A Row | 4 | 3 |
| Injury Timeouts | 0 | 0 |
| Distance Covered (m) | 1,110 | 1,117 |
| Match Duration | 1h 41m | |
What’s next
With her 6–3, 7–6(9-7) victory, Elena Rybakina moves into the third round of the US Open, where a blockbuster clash with 2021 champion Emma Raducanu awaits. Valentova leaves New York with plenty of credit, having pushed one of the game’s elite to the edge, while Rybakina marches on with her eyes on the second week.