Rybakina Injury Shock: Hip Problem Forces Bad Homburg Withdrawal Ahead of Wimbledon — Will the World No. 2 Recover in Time?

Elena Rybakina’s electric form has lit up Flushing Meadows once again as the Kazakh powerhouse prepares to battle Ukrainian qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva in Saturday’s third-round blockbuster at the 2026 US Open. Rybakina, seeded No. 2 and already a Wimbledon and Australian Open champion, is chasing her first trophy in New York and the ranking points that could vault her to world No. 1 before season’s end. The 27-year-old opened her campaign with straight-sets wins over Cori Gauff’s conqueror Thea Frodin and veteran Kaia Kanepi, dropping just nine games en route to the last 32. Starodubtseva, meanwhile, has become the surprise package of the fortnight after coming through qualifying and shocking No. 31 seed Emma Raducanu in round two. Their Arthur Ashe Stadium showdown offers Rybakina a chance to avenge June’s Roland-Garros defeat, where the Ukrainian’s heavy topspin troubled the Kazakh’s flat groundstrokes. Key Storylines to Watch • Race to the top: With reigning No. 1 Iga Świątek sidelined by injury, Rybakina sits just 430 points behind in the live WTA rankings. A semifinal run in New York would move her within touching distance; lifting the silverware would all but guarantee a historic rise for Kazakhstan. • First-serve dominance: Rybakina has won 84 percent of first-serve points this week, firing 18 aces across two matches. Maintaining that pace against Starodubtseva’s counter-punching style will be pivotal. • Night-session aura: The 24 000-seat Ashe court amplifies Rybakina’s booming baseline game, and she owns a 7-1 record under the lights here. Tournament schedulers have again handed her a primetime slot, underscoring her growing star power in the United States. What the Players Said “I feel fresh, my shoulder is good, and I’m serving as well as ever,” Rybakina told reporters after her second-round win. “Yuliia has nothing to lose, but I’ve learned from Paris and I’m ready for a different outcome in New York.” Starodubtseva countered, “I respect Elena’s achievements, yet I know I can hurt her with my variety. The pressure is all on her.” Stat Corner • 2026 match record: Rybakina 52-7 (hard courts 30-3) • Career US Open best: Quarterfinals (2024) • Head-to-head: Starodubtseva leads 1-0 What’s Next Victory would send Rybakina into the second week against either Madison Keys or Zheng Qinwen, both dangerous but inconsistent hitters. With Aryna Sabalenka already upset, the draw has opened for the No. 2 seed to seize her moment. SEO takeaway: Fans searching for “Elena Rybakina US Open 2026,” “Rybakina vs Starodubtseva,” and “Rybakina world number one race” will find the latest updates here as the Kazakh star aims to convert momentum into a maiden New York crown.