Elena Rybakina has big game to hunt. After toiling in the previous couple of years with off-court issues, form, and mental approach, the Kazakhstani is back to where she should be: Chasing the top ranking on the WTA Tour. She is inching closer to overtaking top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka.
But to help her achieve that goal, she needs a good run at the Cincinnati Open. Should she win the tournament, she might overtake Sabalenka at the end. But Rybakina understands she has to take things one match at a time, beginning in the second round against Taylor Townsend.
The two had only played once before, but that was in 2024 at the Miami Open when Rybakina won in three sets. The current WTA No. 2 is in better form in 2026 and is proving it by racing up the rankings. Townsend is certainly not a bad player, of course, and is immensely successful at doubles.
Elena Rybakina defeats Taylor Townsend in the second round of the Cincinnati Open
Her court coverage isn't elite in singles, however, and that is where she is somewhat exposed by the power of Rybakina. Townsend shouldn't feel bad about that aspect, though. Nearly everyone wilts against an in-form Rybakina because she is arguably the best ball-striker in women's tennis.
In the second game of the first set, Rybakina got a break relatively easily after holding serve in the first game. The match might have been done then. Townsend would seemingly have needed a brilliant start to the match to give herself a chance, and Rybakina was in no mood to offer such an opportunity, even as she struggled to land her first serve at times.
Townsend had break opportunities, but mostly because Rybakina's serve wasn't pristine. When she needed it most, Rybakina was able to hit her way through trouble. That included coming back from 0-40 at 4-2 to hold serve and get to within a game of the set.
Townsend didn't fade away, though. After Rybakina won the first set 6-4 and got a break early of the American in set two, Townsend was able to break back. The Kazakhstani never corrected her issues with her first serve, but the power of her second serve often saved her.
After each held to 4-all, Rybakina got another break at the best point, as happens quite a bit for great players. At 5-4, she held with ease and swept into the next round.
Elena Rybakina will next play Magdalena Frech in the third round. Frech pulled off an upset in round two by defeating 25th-seed Jelena Ostapenko.
Add us as a preferred source on Google