Thea Frodin vs Elena Rybakina Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA US Open

Prediction published on 01/09/2026, 04:06  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 01/09/2026 at 04:09 in Tennis Predictions

Elena Rybakina returns to the US Open having had an injury scare in Cincinnati over a week ago. The Kazakh will be starting off her campaign with a first rounder against wildcard Thea Frodin. Rybakina hasn’t lost a set in her last three completed matches, but our prediction tips a change.

Frodin has the biggest match of her life here, playing only her second hardcourt match since March in Miami. She was a first-round loser in Lexington, a W25 tournament, back in July.

After over a month out, the American has a baptism by fire, taking on the world No. 2, a player more than 500 places ahead of her.

Rybakina’s work at this competition is cut out, and this first-round match doesn’t even capture a bit of it. She is unbeaten against players outside the top 200 at a Grand Slam.

She, therefore, should be able to beat a player who just broke into the WTA top 600. The US Open remains the only major Rybakina has never advanced to the quarters, a ceiling she will be looking to smash.

Rybakina warmed up for this event with a quarter-final appearance in Cincinnati. Though questions linger over her fitness, this should be a manageable game, taking on a player with just one match against a top 100 player.