Rybakina Dominates Rising Star Pareja 6-3, 6-0 in US Open Opener
Elena Rybakina, currently ranked #10 and the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has been showcasing her formidable talent once again. After a strong summer hardcourt season where she reached the semifinals in tournaments like DC, Montreal, and Cincinnati, facing the eventual champions each time (Fernandez, Mboko, and Swiatek), Rybakina stepped onto the Stadium 17 court at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center with a sharp focus.
On the other side of the net was the young Julieta Pareja of the United States, ranked #335. At just sixteen years old, the Carlsbad native earned a wild card to compete in this year’s final Grand Slam event. She started her Grand Slam journey by choosing to receive after winning the toss.
Rybakina began powerfully, launching an impressive serve and following with a stunning backhand crosscourt to hold her serve to love. In contrast, Pareja struggled with her early serves, battling through two double faults and facing three deuce points, yet exhibited remarkable persistence to hold her serve.
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The #9 seed showcased her skill with a well-placed ace and easily held her serve to 15. Meanwhile, Pareja faced challenges, missing 4/6 first serves and struggling with two double faults that led to her losing serve. Rybakina consolidated her break with ease and struck again with an ace to make it 2-4.
Despite facing more pressure, Rybakina maintained her composure, holding serve again at love to extend her lead to 5-2. Pareja fought valiantly to hold her serve despite triple deuce points and more double faults.
As the match progressed, Rybakina displayed her trademark power with a massive serve in the ninth game, followed by a string of impressive winners to clinch the first set 6-3. In the second set, Pareja was broken right away after failing to capitalize on her serves, leading to Rybakina quickly consolidating her lead for 2-0.
The seasoned athlete wasn’t done yet, firing off three consecutive aces and extending the lead to 4-0. Although the young American showed great spirit, the errors crept in, leading to yet another break.
As Rybakina served for the match at 5-0, she faced a double fault before sealing her victory with an astounding seventh ace. Throughout the match, she proved her serve was unbreakable, winning a stellar 100% of her first serves and 65% of second serve points, converting 4/9 of her break point opportunities.
In the upcoming round, she faces another young talent, Tereza Valentova. The eighteen-year-old from the Czech Republic, who made a mark by reaching the second round at Roland Garros this year, will certainly provide a new challenge. With Valentova’s confidence soaring after coming through qualifiers in Flushing Meadows, their first tour-level clash promises to be an exciting prospect as they vie for a spot in the third round.
