Elena Rybakina will play Sorana Cirstea in the 3rd round of the US Open after not having to play the second-round match against Ajla Tomljanovic.
Rybakina found herself in the 3rd round at Flushing Meadows thanks to a withdrawal by Ajla Tomljanovic, who reinjured herself at the event. The Kazakhstani player looked good in her first match here but will face a tough challenge in Sorana Cirstea, who can hit the ball as well as anybody.
The Romanian has been solid, beating two solid players to get to this stage. Her luck hasn't been the best against Rybakina as she struggled to hit through Rybakina, but this is a new chance to do so, so let's see how it might go.
Head-to-head:
We saw this matchup twice so far on the WTA Tour and on two different surfaces. The first one in Doha in 2020 was won by Rybakina, who lost the opening set but won the next two comfortably. The next time they played happened was later that year on clay, and Rybakina dismantled Cirstea even better, 6-0, 6-3.
Prediction:
So, how will this one go? Well, I don't think it will go any differently than before. Cirstea is a solid player capable of hitting rather well but she's not on the level of Rybakina. Some things could complicate the match for the Kazakhstani player such as her serve being off, but even so, I see her winning comfortably.
I just don't see a way for Cirstea to really overpower Rybakina in rallies and you need to do that if you want to win a match against her. Even if she finds solutions, I just don't see it lasting more than one set, so it's pretty clear. Back Rybakina to win the match and make it to the 4th round.
Prediction: Elena Rybakina to win in two sets.
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