Yuliia Starodubtseva vs Elena Rybakina Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA US Open

Prediction published on 05/09/2026, 06:42  by Ita Emmanuel | Modified on 05/09/2026 at 08:27 in Tennis Predictions

World No. 58 Yuliia Starodubtseva meets second-ranked Elena Rybakina in the third round of the 2026 US Open women's singles event this evening. Starodubtseva has won four of her last five matches overall, while seven of her last nine defeats have come by fewer than six games. Our prediction supports the Ukrainian sensation to cover the handicap.

Yuliia Starodubtseva has impressed in the 2026 US Open after exiting the Monterrey tournament in the quarterfinals. She eased past Germany's Ella Seidel in straight sets in the opening round. 

On Thursday, the 26-year-old rallied from five games down in the opening set to overcome Greek star and World No. 35 Maria Sakkari 1–6, 7–6(7–4), 6–2 in the second round. Thursday's triumph saw her rack up four wins in five matches and seven of her last nine losses have come by fewer than six games. 

Elena Rybakina made light work of her first-round clash against World No. 585 Thea Frodin, cruising to a straight-set victory. She also got the better of 105th-ranked Jessica Bouzas Maneiro with another straight-set victory (6–2, 6–4) in the second round, securing her 10th win in 12 outings. 

However, the 13-time WTA champion has not covered the handicap in nine of those 10 victories and had fallen in three sets to Yuliia Starodubtseva in their previous meeting in May.