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Tag: Elena Rybakina

  • WTA Finals Qualification Tracker: Who’s In, On the Bubble, and Outside Looking In

    WTA Finals Qualification Tracker: Who’s In, On the Bubble, and Outside Looking In

    WTA Finals Indian Wells 2026: Race Standings with Eight Weeks Remaining

    The 2026 WTA Finals in Indian Wells are now just eight weeks away, and the battle for the final qualification spots is intensifying. With two WTA 1000 events and several 500 and 250 tournaments left on the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz, the top eight singles players and doubles teams are beginning to separate from the pack.

    Qualification Rules for the WTA Finals

    The top seven players in the WTA Race Leaderboard earn automatic qualification. The eighth spot is reserved for the highest-ranked Grand Slam champion of the year who sits between No. 8 and No. 20 in the race and is not already qualified. If that Grand Slam champion falls outside the top 20, or if all four major champions are already inside the top seven, the next highest-ranked player at No. 8 claims the final berth.

    Singles Race: Who Would Qualify Today

    1. Elena Rybakina — 7,492 points (QUALIFIED)

    Rybakina became the first official singles qualifier on Monday after capturing her third major title at the US Open and ascending to the No. 1 ranking. The defending WTA Finals champion has shown remarkable consistency dating back to her Ningbo Open title last season. Her 2025 campaign includes the WTA Finals Riyadh title, Australian Open crown, Stuttgart championship, and US Open victory, plus deep runs at both Sunshine Swing events and a Rome quarterfinal appearance.

    Best results: Australian Open champion (2000), US Open champion (2000), Indian Wells finalist (650), Toronto finalist (650), Stuttgart champion (500), Miami semifinal (390)

    2. Aryna Sabalenka — 6,485 points

    Despite relinquishing the No. 1 ranking and going without a major title in a single season for the first time since 2022, Sabalenka remains in prime position for her sixth WTA Finals appearance. She reached the finals at both the Australian Open and US Open and became only the fifth player to complete the Sunshine Double at Indian Wells and Miami.

    Best results: Australian Open finalist (1300), US Open finalist (1300), Indian Wells champion (1000), Miami champion (1000), Brisbane champion (500), Roland Garros quarterfinal (430)

    3. Jessica Pegula — 5,825 points

    The World No. 3 has nearly claimed titles on all three surfaces this season with victories in Dubai and Charleston and a runner-up finish in Berlin. Her aggressive, flat-hitting game has powered deep runs including two Grand Slam semifinals. The top-ranked American is chasing her fifth consecutive WTA Finals berth and begins her Asian Swing in Singapore, where a title as projected top seed could secure her Indian Wells spot.

    Best results: Dubai champion (1000), Australian Open semifinal (780), US Open semifinal (780), Charleston champion (500), Cincinnati finalist (650), Wimbledon quarterfinal (430), Berlin finalist (325)

    4. Coco Gauff — 5,654 points

    Gauff surged in the race with a Cincinnati title and US Open semifinal run, putting her more than 1,700 points clear of ninth place. Her dominant summer hard-court swing, complemented by finals in Miami and Rome, positions her strongly for another WTA Finals appearance. She returns to Wuhan as defending champion in the season’s final stretch.

    Best results: Cincinnati champion (1000), Wimbledon semifinal (780), US Open semifinal (780), Miami finalist (650), Rome finalist (650), Australian Open quarterfinal (430)

    5. Mirra Andreeva — 5,614 points

    The 19-year-old led the race earlier in the year after her Roland Garros breakthrough, which carries significant weight for her first WTA Finals singles qualification. After a challenging stretch across the Middle East and Sunshine Swings, the clay swing delivered a major title in Paris, preceded by a Linz championship and Madrid runner-up finish. She also reached the US Open quarterfinals.

    Best results: Roland Garros champion (2000), Madrid finalist (650), Adelaide champion (500), Linz champion (500), US Open quarterfinal (430), Australian Open fourth round (240), Rome quarterfinal (215)

    6. Elina Svitolina — 4,809 points

    Despite a third-round exit in New York, Svitolina strengthened her position with quarterfinal and semifinal runs in Washington DC and Toronto. Her season foundation includes an Auckland title, Australian Open semifinal, Dubai final, and a third career Rome championship. She sits in decent shape for a fourth WTA Finals appearance and first since 2019 Shenzhen.

    Best results: Rome champion (1000), Australian Open semifinal (780), Dubai finalist (650), Roland Garros quarterfinal (430), Indian Wells semifinal (390), Toronto semifinal (390), Auckland champion (250)

    7. Karolina Muchova — 4,400 points

    Muchova has not added to her total since her Wimbledon finalist run after missing Toronto and Cincinnati due to a minor procedure. Still enjoying the best season of her career with titles in Doha and Bad Homburg, she needs a strong Asian Swing to hold off countrymate Linda Noskova and Marta Kostyuk.

    Best results: Wimbledon finalist (1300), Doha champion (1000), Bad Homburg champion (500), Miami semifinal (390), Stuttgart finalist (325)

    8. Linda Noskova — 4,234 points

    Noskova holds the No. 8 position after a strong US Open quarterfinal where she fell to Sabalenka in a match tiebreak. Her maiden Grand Slam title at Wimbledon keeps her in prime qualification position. If she remains between No. 8–20, she would qualify as a major champion provided Andreeva finishes No. 7 or higher (Rybakina has already qualified). The Czech posted the tour’s best grass season with a Berlin title.

    Best results: Wimbledon champion (2000), Berlin champion (500), US Open quarterfinal (430), Indian Wells semifinal (390), Madrid quarterfinal (215)

    On the Bubble: Alternate Positions

    Players finishing No. 9 and No. 10 would serve as alternates.

    9. Marta Kostyuk — 3,850 points

    Back-to-back Grand Slam semifinals in Paris and London followed by a US Open fourth-round showing have Kostyuk knocking on the door. She trails Noskova, a major champion, and ideally needs to surpass Muchova. After cracking the top 10 for the first time, Kostyuk could close her best season with a high note and possibly an Indian Wells berth.

    Best results: Madrid champion (1000), Roland Garros semifinal (780), Wimbledon semifinal (780), Brisbane finalist (325), Rouen champion (250)

    10. Iga Swiatek — 3,584 points

    The six-time major champion ended an 11-month title drought with a Toronto victory last month, rediscovering her patient yet aggressive game. A US Open fourth-round exit keeps her on the bubble, but Swiatek is never counted out — strong runs in Beijing and Wuhan could secure her sixth straight WTA Finals appearance.

    Best results: Toronto champion (1000), Australian Open quarterfinal (430), Rome semifinal (390), Indian Wells quarterfinal (215), Doha quarterfinal (215), United Cup 3-2 singles record & champion with Poland (150)

    11. Victoria Mboko — 2,393 points

    The Canadian has been sidelined since a lower-leg injury at Queen’s Club and is not scheduled to play through Beijing. Prior to the injury, she reached three finals this year. With a significant points deficit and no tournaments remaining, qualification appears unlikely, though a healthy 2027 campaign remains the priority.

    Best results: Doha finalist (650), Adelaide finalist (325), Strasbourg finalist (325), Hong Kong champion (250)*

    *Results from 2025 Chennai, Hong Kong, and Jiujiang 250 tournaments count for the 2026 Race as they occurred the week before the WTA Finals. This year, Tokyo and Guangzhou are the final tournaments counting toward the 2026 race.

    12. Sorana Cirstea — 2,390 points

    The veteran is enjoying a career-best season, recently reaching a career-high No. 15 ranking. Consistent all year, Cirstea could make a late push in Asia. If she retires at season’s end as suggested, a dominant Asian swing could send her out with a WTA Finals appearance.

    Best results: Roland Garros quarterfinal (430), Rome semifinal (390), Cluj-Napoca champion (250), US Open fourth round (240), Wimbledon third round (130)

    13. Diana Shnaider — 2,344 points

    The 22-year-old’s breakthrough came with a Roland Garros semifinal, followed by semifinal and quarterfinal runs in Washington and Toronto. Scheduled for Beijing and likely Wuhan, with the Tokyo 500 as an option, she still has a path for a final push.

    Best results: Roland Garros semifinal (780), Toronto quarterfinal (215), Adelaide semifinal (195), Washington DC semifinal (195), Charleston quarterfinal (108)

    Outside Looking In (Nos. 14–20)

    14. Iva Jovic — 2,232 points | 15. Alexandra Eala — 2,181 points | 16. Naomi Osaka — 2,177 points | 17. Elise Mertens — 2,130 points | 18. Madison Keys — 2,095 points | 19. Belinda Bencic — 2,087 points | 20. Anna Kalinskaya — 1,967 points

    Full Race Rankings — Singles

    Doubles Race: Three Grand Slam Champions Already Inside Top Seven

    The doubles qualification criteria mirror singles: top seven teams automatically qualify, with the eighth spot going to the highest-ranked Grand Slam champion pair ranked No. 8–20 not already qualified. If that pair falls outside the top 20, or all four major-winning teams are inside the top seven, the No. 8 team claims the spot.

    All three Grand Slam-winning teams this year currently sit inside the top seven. Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova have captured two majors together.

    Team Points Tournaments Together Status
    Taylor Townsend & Katerina Siniakova* 8,370 9 QUALIFIED
    Gabriela Dabrowski & Luisa Stefani 6,503 12 QUALIFIED
    Aleksandra Krunic & Anna Danilina 5,638 14 QUALIFIED
    Kristina Mladenovic & Guo Hanyu* 3,566 10
    Demi Schuurs & Ellen Perez 3,035 18
    Zhang Shuai & Elise Mertens* 3,018 9
    Jelena Ostapenko & Hsieh Su-wei 2,898 7
    Nicole Melichar-Martinez & Cristina Bucsa 2,418 5 Last In

    *Indicates Grand Slam champion pair this year

    On the Bubble (Current Alternates)

    9. Shuko Aoyama & Liang En-Shuo — 2,199 points (8 tournaments)
    10. Olivia Nicholls & Tereza Mihalikova — 2,155 points (19 tournaments)

    Full Race Rankings — Doubles

  • Rybakina Beats Sabalenka to Win First US Open Title

    Rybakina Beats Sabalenka to Win First US Open Title

    Key Highlights

    • Elena Rybakina captured her first US Open title by defeating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.
    • The victory marks Rybakina’s third Grand Slam singles championship overall.
    • Rybakina ended Sabalenka’s bid for a third consecutive US Open crown.

    Rybakina Triumphs at Flushing Meadows for Maiden US Open Title

    Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina has claimed the 2024 US Open women’s singles championship, overcoming Aryna Sabalenka in the final to secure her first title at Flushing Meadows. The victory represents a significant milestone for the 25-year-old, who adds the American hard-court major to her previous Grand Slam triumphs at Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open earlier this year.

    Ending Sabalenka’s Title Defense

    Rybakina’s path to the trophy required toppling the tournament’s most dominant recent performer. Sabalenka entered the final as the two-time defending champion, having captured the US Open crown in both 2022 and 2023. The Belarusian’s bid to become the first woman since Serena Williams (2012–2014) to win three straight US Open titles was halted by Rybakina’s powerful baseline game and composed serving under pressure.

    Third Major Crown Completes Surface Sweep

    With this win, Rybakina becomes one of the few active players to hold Grand Slam titles on all three major surfaces: grass (Wimbledon 2022), hard court (Australian Open 2024, US Open 2024), and now a second distinct hard-court major. The achievement underscores her versatility and cements her status among the elite of the women’s game. Rybakina’s 2024 season now features two major championships, signaling a return to peak form after injury interruptions earlier in her career.

    Why This Matters

    Rybakina’s victory reshapes the narrative at the top of the WTA Tour. By denying Sabalenka a historic three-peat, she reasserts herself as a primary contender for the year-end No. 1 ranking and establishes a compelling rivalry with the Belarusian on the sport’s biggest stages. The result also highlights the depth of the current women’s field, where multiple players possess the weapons to win on any surface. For the US Open, the crowning of a first-time champion in New York continues a trend of diverse winners, reinforcing the tournament’s reputation for producing fresh narratives each season.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How many Grand Slam titles does Elena Rybakina now have?

    Elena Rybakina has won three Grand Slam singles titles: Wimbledon in 2022, the Australian Open in 2024, and the US Open in 2024.

    Was Aryna Sabalenka attempting to win her third consecutive US Open?

    Yes, Aryna Sabalenka was the two-time defending champion, having won the US Open in 2022 and 2023, and was bidding for a third straight title.

    What is significant about Rybakina winning the US Open?

    This is Rybakina’s first US Open title. Combined with her previous majors, she now holds Grand Slam trophies on grass and hard courts, demonstrating her all-surface prowess.

  • Elena Rybakina Wins US Open 2026 Title After Pre-Tournament Injury

    Elena Rybakina Wins US Open 2026 Title After Pre-Tournament Injury

    Elena Rybakina Wins US Open Title, Claims World No. 1 Ranking After Injury Comeback

    Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina arrived at Flushing Meadows barely able to walk. She departed as the 2024 US Open champion and the new WTA world No. 1.

    Rybakina Overcomes Sabalenka in Three-Set Final

    Rybakina produced a masterclass performance on Saturday, defeating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2. The victory mirrors their Australian Open final in January, where Rybakina also triumphed over the Belarusian.

    Clutching the trophy on Saturday night, Rybakina reflected that some magic is happening for her after a tumultuous lead-in to the final Grand Slam of the year.

    Foot Injury Threatened Tournament Participation

    The 27-year-old aggravated a foot injury during her Cincinnati quarter-final against Iga Swiatek last month, barely a week before the US Open began. Playing through the issue risked long-term consequences for her season, but with the top ranking within reach, Rybakina opted to compete.

    I was so upset. I didn’t know actually how it was going to be day by day, she said. We arrived in New York and did an MRI. It didn’t look that great.

    I couldn’t even walk for the next few days without pain.

    Strategic Recovery Plan Pays Off

    Rybakina credited a coordinated medical effort for her turnaround. I was lucky enough to have a very good doctor in Australia. She was on the phone with us all the time and somehow, with the team, we made a plan.

    The plan involved zero on-court training for a week. Instead, daily recovery sessions in the gym—combined with trips for dinner and to the cinema to switch the mind—prepared her body and mindset for a deep run.

    Dominant Path to the Title

    Rybakina won her first four matches without dropping a set, dismissing four-time major champion Naomi Osaka. Her subsequent run was historic: she toppled Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen in the quarter-finals, outlasted third seed Coco Gauff in the semi-finals, and outplayed top seed Sabalenka in the championship match.

    I was so unlucky with the injury, but I’m very proud, Rybakina said. I still can’t believe it.

  • Malika Andrews: Husband, Ethnicity, Family & ESPN US Open Studio Host Profile

    Malika Andrews: Husband, Ethnicity, Family & ESPN US Open Studio Host Profile

    2026 US Open Women’s Final: Sabalenka vs. Rybakina at Arthur Ashe Stadium

    The 2026 US Open concludes today with the women’s singles final between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Sabalenka enters the match targeting a historic third consecutive US Open title and her fifth Grand Slam championship overall. Rybakina, meanwhile, pursues her third major title and faces a formidable challenge against the tournament’s dominant force.

    Head-to-Head History and Grand Slam Finals Split

    The rivals have contested numerous matches on tour, with Sabalenka holding a narrow 10–7 advantage in their all-time head-to-head record. Their Grand Slam final encounters are evenly divided: Sabalenka captured the 2023 Australian Open title, while Rybakina prevailed in their 2026 Australian Open rematch.

    Malika Andrews Leads ESPN’s US Open Coverage

    Familiar ESPN personality Malika Andrews is among the network’s lead voices for the championship broadcast. The Emmy Award-winning sports journalist has built her reputation covering basketball, hosting flagship programs including NBA Today, NBA Countdown, and WNBA Countdown.

    From Print Journalism to Broadcasting History

    Andrews began her career as a print reporter for The New York Times and the Chicago Tribune before joining ESPN in 2018. She made broadcasting history in 2022 as the first woman to host the live NBA Draft telecast. Her portfolio has since expanded to include lead roles on ESPN’s tennis coverage, anchoring live broadcasts from both the US Open and Australian Open.

    Personal Life and Family Background

    Andrews is married to Dave McMenamin, a senior NBA reporter for ESPN who previously covered LeBron James with the Cleveland Cavaliers before following James to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018. The couple announced their engagement in late 2022, maintained a private relationship, and married on August 24, 2024, at Cavallo Point Lodge in Sausalito, California, near the Golden Gate Bridge.

    The 31-year-old journalist comes from an interracial, interfaith family and identifies as Jewish. She is the daughter of Mike Andrews, a personal trainer, and grew up in Oakland, California. Her younger sister, Kendra Andrews, also covers the NBA for ESPN.

    This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on September 12, 2026, in the Tennis section.

  • How to Watch Sabalenka vs. Rybakina US Open 2026 Women’s Final for Free

    How to Watch Sabalenka vs. Rybakina US Open 2026 Women’s Final for Free

    The world’s top two women’s singles players are hitting the court, setting the stage for a highly anticipated showdown at the pinnacle of the sport.

    Rankings Leaders Prepare for Battle

    With the number one and number two ranked athletes taking to the surface, all eyes are on the matchup that defines the current era of women’s tennis. The pairing guarantees a contest of the highest technical quality and mental fortitude.

    What This Means for the Tournament

    The presence of the sport’s two leading figures in the same section of the draw elevates the event’s profile immediately. Fans and analysts alike will be tracking every point as the battle for supremacy unfolds in real time.

  • Coco Gauff Falls as US Open Women’s Final Loses Last American

    Coco Gauff Falls as US Open Women’s Final Loses Last American

    Coco Gauff entered Arthur Ashe Stadium as the clear crowd favorite for her U.S. Open semifinal against world No. 1 Elena Rybakina, with high-profile spectators including former First Lady Michelle Obama watching from the stands. The American started brightly, absorbing relentless pressure from the baseline and drawing errors from the Kazakh powerhouse to break in the sixth game and claim the opening set amid a roaring atmosphere.

    Momentum shifts as Rybakina finds composure

    Despite the partisan support, Gauff could not maintain her early dominance. The match turned at 5-5 in the second set, when Gauff failed to level proceedings on her own serve. Pressure — a recurring theme in Gauff’s career — appeared to resurface at the critical juncture. When her focus sharpens on aggressive shot-making, utilizing her powerful backhand and forward movement, she is exceptionally difficult to contain. However, the weight of the occasion seemed to inhibit that freedom, making the eventual defeat more painful after such a commanding start.

    Rybakina’s stoic resilience proves decisive

    Across the net, Rybakina projected almost no emotion regardless of the scoreline. Her composure was striking, particularly in an environment firmly behind her opponent. She maintained that steady approach even after dropping the first set, gradually asserting control with her heavy hitting. The decisive stretch arrived in the third set, where Rybakina broke for a 5-3 lead. Gauff responded immediately with a break of her own, but her comeback bid collapsed when she could not hold serve, handing Rybakina the final break and the match.

    It was a heartbreaking exit for Gauff, who left the court visibly emotional, her expression bordering on tears. The contest had hung in the balance until the final games, yet the opportunity slipped away on a day that left the United States without a home representative in the women’s final.

  • Serena Williams’ ‘King Richard’ Body Double Set to Make US Open Debut at 17

    Serena Williams’ ‘King Richard’ Body Double Set to Make US Open Debut at 17

    The teen athlete is set to make her debut in the Women’s Tennis Association Tour main draw as a wildcard, where she will face Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina.

    Source: pagesix.com

  • Frodin, Body Double for Serena Actor in ‘King Richard,’ Plays at US Open

    Frodin, Body Double for Serena Actor in ‘King Richard,’ Plays at US Open

    Thea Frodin will make her US Open singles debut Tuesday against Elena Rybakina, the No. 2 player in women’s tennis. The 17-year-old Los Angeles native faces a major challenge, but she has already shown she can hit the ball like Serena Williams — at least on a movie set.

    From “King Richard” to the US Open

    Frodin served as the body double for Demi Singleton, who played a young Serena Williams in the 2021 film King Richard. On Tuesday, she will return to the court in front of cameras as herself when she takes on Rybakina.

    “I’ve worked so hard to try and get to this level, and to have an opportunity like this is just really special for me,” Frodin said Monday in a phone interview.

    Competitive tennis helped Frodin reach the US Open. She won the USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 18s National Championships, earning a wild card into the tournament’s singles field.

    17-year-old Thea Frodin, who was the body double for the actor who played Serena Williams in the 2021 film “King Richard,” will play her first US Open singles match Tuesday against No. 2 Elena Rybakina. Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images

    Tennis also opened the door to Hollywood. Frodin was competing in California’s 10-and-under division when she won the sectional singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles. She was then invited to audition for the role, which required her to serve as Singleton’s on-court body double.

    “I was on set for six months and I got to be alongside some really cool actors and obviously Will Smith, and just the whole experience was super cool for me,” Frodin said. “And obviously to be able to play the double, or the role of somebody that I look up to and I have always been inspired by was truly, like, a very special experience for me.”

    Smith won an Oscar for playing Richard Williams, the father of Venus and Serena Williams.

    Frodin found it relatively easy to reproduce Serena Williams’ swings because she was already familiar with them after watching the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion throughout her career. The challenge was returning to her own technique once filming ended.

    “It’s actually funny. After I was done with with the movie, I actually got into the habit of using, or playing with her strokes, and I couldn’t switch back to mine because I was so used to hers,” Frodin said. “So my parents — I mean, obviously it’s a great person to replicate — but my parents were a little bit upset because I was playing like Serena, so it took me a while to get back to my normal technique.”

    Frodin’s first WTA Tour-level match

    Frodin played in the US Open doubles tournament last year but has never met Serena or Venus Williams. Her match against Rybakina will be her first at the WTA Tour level. Earlier this year, she lost in qualifying in Miami in her previous attempt to reach that level.

    Frodin has one year remaining in high school and has not decided what she will do afterward. She said she would consider another opportunity in Hollywood if one arises.

    “Obviously, my No. 1 focus always has been tennis, but I’ve always had this little thought in the back of my mind. I feel like it would be really cool if I could somehow balance both,” Frodin said. “I mean, I loved every second of being in that kind of environment, of that kind of acting life. I enjoy it a lot and yeah, if it’s even possible, I don’t mind having that as a side gig, you know?”

  • US Open 2026: Thea Frodin Follows Serena Williams’ Footsteps After Playing Her Idol in ‘King Richard’

    US Open 2026: Thea Frodin Follows Serena Williams’ Footsteps After Playing Her Idol in ‘King Richard’

    Thea Frodin once portrayed a young Serena Williams on the big screen. Now, the American teenager is preparing to follow in her childhood idol’s footsteps with her US Open main-draw debut.

    Five years ago, Frodin was selected as a tennis-playing body double for the actress who played Serena in the Oscar-nominated film King Richard. At the time, the 12-year-old worked alongside Will Smith, who portrayed Richard Williams, the father of Serena and Venus Williams.

    “Being able to play the role of somebody that I looked up to for my whole life was super special,”

    Frodin told the WTA website.

    “I was honoured. She was one of the players that I looked up to most, just when I was starting to play.”

    “She’s such an inspiration to me.”

    Frodin will now make her main-draw singles debut at her home Grand Slam. Serena and Venus Williams are also set to team up in the US Open doubles this year, adding further significance to the occasion.

    The teenager faces a formidable first-round opponent in world number two Elena Rybakina, a two-time major winner and the reigning Australian Open champion.

    “I’m trying to stay in the moment as much as possible,” said Frodin. “This is a huge opportunity for me to enjoy the moment, have fun and see what I can do. “The atmosphere, how loud the crowd will be, I feel like I fit well in that environment.”