Elena Rybakina withdrawal at US Open opens door wide open for Anna Kalinskaya

Elena Rybakina's bad luck at the US Open continues. She was forced to withdraw from the tournament on Thursday due to injury and that is something she has been struggling with for much of the year. The WTA No. 4 could be set for a rankings fall after needing to pull out of the event, but she hasn't ever been able to be successful in New York. Her best result is making the third round.

Still, she has the game - powerful serve and forehand - for one to think she could win the Grand Slam. That is appearing to be more and more impossible, though. In fact, while she has the skills to be a perennial top-four player, she might finish the year out of the top five.

Rybakina's withdrawal, however, might truly help Anna Kalinskaya. The 15 seed should be favored in all of her matches now until she reaches the quarterfinals. The Russian also has to be brimming with confidence as her best previous result at the US Open was reaching the second round. She is already assured of bettering that because she dismantled Anna Bondar on Thursday 6-2 6-4.

Elena Rybakina's pain is good for Anna Kalinskaya

Kalinskaya is having the best year of her career. She has never won a singles title, but she has reached a career-high of 15 in 2024 and she has reached the first two finals of her career. One came at the WTA 1000 event in Dubai. She also made the quarterfinals at the Australian Open.

The Russian does not have the overpowering game of Aryna Sabalenka, but sometimes all it takes for a player to get on a roll is to build some confidence. Kalinskaya likely has never had more confidence than she does currently. She is making fewer mistakes and not beating herself. That makes her a much tougher out.

Next, she will play Beatriz Haddad Maia who is certainly not without talent. Haddad Maia has ranked as high as No. 10 on the WTA tour. No match is going to be easy for Kalinskaya, but if she continues her current form she could make at least the quarterfinals in New York.