Tuesday’s opening round of the US Open saw Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina exit after losing in straight sets to French qualifier Clara Burel.
The 25th-seeded Rybakina was outplayed by Burel, rated 131st in the globe, who won 6-4, 6-4.
Despite winning her first Grand Slam championship in early July, Kazakhstan’s Rybakina was seeded poorly for the US Open since her Wimbledon victory didn’t count for any rankings.
Wimbledon’s decision to prohibit players from Russia and Belarus cost it points on the WTA and ATP Tours.
That means that the Wimbledon champion’s opening match on Tuesday had to be played on one of Flushing Meadows’ outside courts.
Burel started to appear more at ease in his surroundings right away, took the initiative to win the first set, and then established a lead in the second.
Rybakina, meanwhile, struggled to gain momentum throughout the match due to a streak of 37 unforced mistakes.
Burel was awarded a match point when she flubbed a simple return from her second serve into the net.
On the following point, Burel unleashed a cracking forehand winner up the line to secure the championship.
In the second round, Burel will take on either Venus Williams or Alison Van Uytvanck of Belgium.
