Rybakina Withdraws from US Open Due to Injury

Elena Rybakina, the world number four and 2022 Wimbledon champion, has withdrawn from the US Open due to undisclosed injuries, handing French qualifier Jessika Ponchet a walkover into the third round. This withdrawal marks the seventh time this year that Rybakina has pulled out of a competition due to health issues. Despite starting strong with a victory over Australian qualifier Destanee Aiava in the first round, Rybakina's withdrawal is a significant loss for the tournament as she was considered a top contender. Her season has been marked by inconsistency, including a semi-final exit at Wimbledon and a withdrawal from the Paris Olympics. The US Open remains the only Grand Slam where she has never reached the fourth round. In other tournament news, top seed Iga Swiatek and Italy's Jasmine Paolini both advanced to the third round.