Rybakina three wins from World No. 1 after US Open R2 win; Gauff advances
Synopsis
Elena Rybakina is three wins away from becoming World No. 1 for the first time — and she's doing it the hard way, recovering from a nervy second set to beat Bouzas Maneiro at the US Open. Meanwhile, defending-champion Coco Gauff is quietly building a title charge, having dropped just one service break across two rounds while eyeing a third Grand Slam crown.
Key Takeaways
Elena Rybakina beat Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in straight sets to reach the US Open third round and move to within three wins of the World No.
Rybakina needs to reach the semifinals in New York to guarantee the top spot.
She next faces Yuliia Starodubtseva , who beat her in the second round of the French Open .
Coco Gauff defeated Paula Badosa 6-4, 7-6 (5) , booking her fifth consecutive US Open third round .
Gauff finished with 21 winners , winning 71% of first-serve points and 57% of second-serve points.
Gauff's next opponent is Spain's Cristina Bucsa , who saved a match tiebreak to advance.
Elena Rybakina moved to within three victories of claiming the World No. 1 ranking for the first time after defeating Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in straight sets at the 2026 US Open in New York, progressing to the third round at Louis Armstrong Stadium. The 27-year-old Kazakhstani needs to reach at least the semifinals to guarantee the top spot at the tournament's conclusion.
Rybakina's Path to the Top Ranking
The victory was not without nerves — Rybakina failed to serve out the match at 5-3 in the second set, dropping her first service game of the tournament. She recovered composure to clinch the win with her fourth break of the match, underscoring her resilience under pressure.
Rybakina, who claimed her second Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January, now has her best-ever US Open result in sight. Her previous deepest run at Flushing Meadows was a fourth-round exit last season. Up next is a rematch against Ukraine's Yuliia Starodubtseva — the same opponent who defeated Rybakina in a second-round thriller at the French Open.
Gauff Books Fifth Straight Third Round in New York
Coco Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, advanced to the third round for the fifth consecutive year at Flushing Meadows with a 6-4, 7-6 (5) win over Spain's Paula Badosa, who had won their last two WTA head-to-head meetings. The match lasted two hours.
Gauff finished with 21 winners and 21 unforced errors. Despite a 50 percent first-serve percentage, she converted 71 percent of her first-serve points and an impressive 57 percent of second-serve points — a testament to her serve quality when it landed. She was broken just twice across the contest.
What the Win Means for Gauff
The result is a significant confidence boost for Gauff, one of the pre-tournament favourites, who is eyeing a second US Open title to add to her 2023 US Open crown and 2025 French Open championship. She enters the third round having dropped just one set across her opening two matches.
In the third round, Gauff will face fellow Spaniard Cristina Bucsa, who reached the last 32 with a gruelling 7-6 (6), 6-7 (0), 7-6 (10-6) victory — her fourth career Grand Slam third round, following appearances at the 2023 Australian Open, 2025 Roland Garros, and 2025 US Open.
Wider Context at Flushing Meadows
This comes amid a pivotal moment in women's tennis, where the No. 1 ranking is within reach of multiple contenders. Rybakina's charge adds fresh urgency to the bottom half of the draw, and a potential deep run by Gauff could set up a blockbuster clash between two of the sport's biggest names in the later rounds. Both players' trajectories will be closely watched as the tournament enters its second week.
Point of View
But the draw has handed her a tricky rematch with Starodubtseva, who has already beaten her once this year. Gauff, meanwhile, is doing what champions do: winning ugly when needed. A 50 percent first-serve percentage should be alarming, yet she won 57 percent of second-serve points — that is elite clutch serving. If both players hold their draws, the women's tournament could be heading toward the final it deserves.
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How close is Elena Rybakina to becoming World No. 1?
Rybakina is three wins away from the top ranking as of the US Open third round. She needs to reach at least the semifinals in New York to guarantee the World No. 1 position at the tournament's end.
Who does Rybakina face in the US Open third round?
Rybakina will next play Ukraine's Yuliia Starodubtseva — a rematch of their second-round encounter at the French Open, which Starodubtseva won. It is expected to be a closely contested match given their recent history.
How did Coco Gauff perform against Paula Badosa?
Gauff defeated Badosa 6-4, 7-6 (5) in a two-hour contest, finishing with 21 winners and winning 71 percent of her first-serve points. She was broken just twice despite a modest 50 percent first-serve percentage.
What titles has Coco Gauff won ahead of the 2026 US Open?
Gauff is the reigning 2023 US Open champion and also holds the 2025 French Open title. A victory at the 2026 US Open would give her a third Grand Slam crown.
Who is Cristina Bucsa and how did she reach the US Open third round?
Cristina Bucsa is a Spanish player who reached the third round with a 7-6 (6), 6-7 (0), 7-6 (10-6) victory — her fourth career Grand Slam third round. She will face Gauff in the next round.
