In the first round of the US Open, Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina was shockingly defeated by qualifier Clara Burel.
Rybakina had complained about “poor leadership” on the women’s circuit, claiming that she did not feel like the Wimbledon winner since ranking points were not given out at the All England Club.
The 23-year-old, the 25th seed in New York, lost to world number 131 Burel 6-4, 6-4.
Iga Swiatek, the top-ranked player in the world, triumphed earlier on Tuesday.
Naomi Osaka, a two-time winner of the US Open, is eliminated after falling to American Danielle Collins, the 19th seed, 7-6 (7-5) 6-3.
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Swiatek, a 21-year-old from Poland, defeated Paolini, an Italian, 6-3, 6-0 in New York in only one hour and six minutes. She will now play 2017 champion, Sloane Stephens.
American Stephens defeated Greet Minnen of Belgium 1-6 6-3 6-3 after falling 6-1 3-1.
Swiatek, a two-time champion of the French Open, is one of several female competitors who have criticized the “terrible” balls being used in Flushing Meadows.
Men’s and women’s tennis balls are used differently at the US Open.
