In a commanding display of power and precision, former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan stormed into the fourth round of the US Open for the first time in her career, dismantling Britain’s Emma Raducanu in straight sets. The match, which took place on the Louis Armstrong Stadium showcourt, saw the ninth-seeded Rybakina dominate the 2021 US Open champion with a decisive 6-1, 6-2 victory in just one hour and two minutes. Meanwhile, in a separate match on the same court, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka continued her impressive run at the tournament, advancing to the fourth round with a 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) win over Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, extending her remarkable streak of 18 consecutive tie-break victories.
Rybakina’s Breakthrough at Flushing Meadows
For Elena Rybakina, the US Open has historically been a challenging tournament. Despite her success on other Grand Slam stages, including a Wimbledon title in 2022, the Moscow-born Kazakh had never progressed beyond the third round in New York prior to this year. Her performance against Raducanu, however, signaled a turning point, as she showcased the kind of form that could propel her deep into the tournament.
Rybakina wasted no time asserting her dominance in the match. From the very first game, she broke Raducanu’s serve, setting the tone for a one-sided encounter. The 22-year-old Briton, who captured the tennis world’s attention with her fairy-tale run to the US Open title in 2021 as a qualifier, struggled to find her rhythm against Rybakina’s relentless aggression. The Kazakh’s powerful forehand was a weapon of destruction, as she unleashed a series of thumping winners that left Raducanu scrambling to respond.
The first set was a masterclass in controlled aggression from Rybakina. She dictated play from the baseline, using her superior power to overwhelm Raducanu’s defenses. The Briton, known for her resilience and tactical acumen, had no answer to Rybakina’s onslaught, managing to win just one game as the set concluded 6-1 in Rybakina’s favor. The second set followed a similar pattern, with Rybakina maintaining her intensity and breaking Raducanu’s serve early to establish a commanding lead. Despite a brief flicker of resistance from Raducanu, who fought to hold serve in the second set, Rybakina’s consistency and firepower proved too much, and she closed out the match 6-2.
Reflecting on her performance in her on-court interview, Rybakina expressed optimism about her prospects at this year’s tournament. “Throughout the whole years, for some reason the US Open wasn’t a success for me, but hopefully this year that will change,” she said. Her confidence was palpable, and her performance against Raducanu suggested that she is peaking at the right time to make a deep run in New York.
The Controversial Return of Stefano Vukov
Rybakina’s victory was not without its share of off-court drama. The Kazakh player was accompanied in her player’s box by her controversial coach, Stefano Vukov, whose presence at the US Open raised eyebrows. Vukov, a Croatian coach, had been banned by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) earlier this year after an investigation found him guilty of “abuse of authority and abusive behavior” toward Rybakina. The details of the investigation, reported by The Athletic, painted a troubling picture of Vukov’s conduct, with Rybakina reportedly fearing for her safety after receiving persistent requests from Vukov to return to her coaching team following his dismissal before the 2023 US Open.
The WTA had imposed a one-year suspension on Vukov in January, barring him from attending any tournaments. However, Rybakina and Vukov reconciled earlier this season, and the coach successfully appealed his suspension, allowing him to return to courtside duties at the Cincinnati Open just weeks before the US Open. His presence in Rybakina’s box during her match against Raducanu was a reminder of the complex dynamics surrounding their professional relationship, but it did little to distract from Rybakina’s clinical performance on the court.
Rybakina’s decision to reunite with Vukov has sparked debate within the tennis community. Some view it as a pragmatic move, given the success they have achieved together, including Rybakina’s Wimbledon triumph. Others, however, question the WTA’s handling of the situation and the implications of allowing Vukov to return so soon after his suspension. For now, Rybakina appears focused on her tennis, and her commanding victory over Raducanu suggests that she is not letting the controversy affect her performance.
Sabalenka’s Tie-Break Mastery Continues
While Rybakina’s victory was the headline of the day on Louis Armstrong Stadium, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka provided another highlight with her hard-fought win over Canada’s Leylah Fernandez. The reigning US Open champion, known for her aggressive style and mental toughness, advanced to the fourth round with a 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) victory in a match that lasted one hour and 39 minutes. The win was particularly significant for Sabalenka, as it marked a measure of revenge against Fernandez, who had defeated her in the semifinals of the 2021 US Open when the Canadian was just a teenager.
Sabalenka’s victory was highlighted by her remarkable tie-break record, as she extended her streak to 18 consecutive tie-break wins. The second set against Fernandez went to a tie-break after a tightly contested battle, but Sabalenka’s composure under pressure was evident as she raced to a 7-2 victory in the breaker. Her ability to dominate tie-breaks has become a hallmark of her game this season, and she attributes it to her growing mental strength.
“I definitely think that mentally I’m pretty strong, and I’m still growing, because I’m learning a lot of lessons, and all of those lessons are making me tougher, tougher, and tougher,” Sabalenka said after the match. When asked if she believed her opponents were aware of her tie-break record, she responded with a smile: “I hope so. I’m not focusing on that during the match, obviously. But extra pressure on my opponents? I love that.”
The match against Fernandez was not without its challenges. The 31st-seeded Canadian started brightly, earning four break points in Sabalenka’s opening service game of the first set. However, Sabalenka’s resilience shone through as she saved all four break points to hold serve, a pivotal moment that shifted the momentum in her favor. She capitalized on a Fernandez double-fault in the fourth game to secure a break and take a 3-1 lead, which proved sufficient to close out the first set 6-3.
The second set was a closer affair, with Fernandez posing a constant threat to Sabalenka’s serve. The Belarusian was forced to fend off a break point in the sixth game, showcasing her defensive skills and mental fortitude. When the set went to a tie-break, Sabalenka’s experience and confidence came to the fore. She quickly established a 4-1 lead with three mini-breaks and never looked back, sealing the victory with a 6-1 scoreline in the tie-break.
Sabalenka’s win sets up a fourth-round clash with unseeded Spaniard Cristina Bucsa, a match that will test her ability to maintain her focus and intensity as she pursues a second consecutive US Open title. For Sabalenka, the victory over Fernandez was not just about advancing in the tournament but also about proving a point to herself. “I wanted this revenge badly,” she said, reflecting on her 2021 loss to Fernandez. “It was a tough lesson for me back then. Since then, we never played again. I just wanted to prove to myself that the lesson was learned and that I developed as a player and I could get this win.”
A Tale of Two Matches
The performances of Rybakina and Sabalenka on Friday underscored the depth and competitiveness of the women’s draw at the 2025 US Open. Both players showcased their ability to dominate opponents with contrasting styles, with Rybakina relying on her raw power and Sabalenka combining aggression with mental toughness. Their victories set the stage for intriguing fourth-round matchups, as Rybakina prepares to face her next opponent and Sabalenka gears up for her clash with Bucsa.
For Rybakina, the win over Raducanu represents a significant milestone in her quest to conquer the US Open, a tournament that has eluded her in the past. Her ability to overpower a player of Raducanu’s caliber suggests that she is hitting her stride at the right moment, and her partnership with Vukov, controversial though it may be, appears to be yielding results on the court.
Sabalenka, meanwhile, continues to solidify her status as one of the leading players in the women’s game. Her tie-break dominance and mental resilience make her a formidable opponent, and her victory over Fernandez was a reminder of her ability to rise to the occasion in high-pressure situations. As the tournament progresses, both Rybakina and Sabalenka will be players to watch, with the potential to go deep and challenge for the title.
Looking Ahead
As the US Open moves into its second week, the women’s draw promises more thrilling encounters. Rybakina’s breakthrough into the fourth round marks her as a serious contender, while Sabalenka’s continued dominance reinforces her status as the player to beat. The contrast between Rybakina’s power-based game and Sabalenka’s all-around aggression will make their potential future matchups a tantalizing prospect for tennis fans.
For now, both players will focus on their immediate challenges. Rybakina will look to build on her momentum, while Sabalenka aims to maintain her tie-break streak and advance further in her title defense. The 2025 US Open is shaping up to be a tournament of redemption, resilience, and remarkable performances, with Rybakina and Sabalenka at the forefront of the action.
