Rybakina holds her own

Elena Rybakina made a solid debut in the first round of the US Open.

Rybakina went from strength to strength on Tuesday.

Surprised by Fernandez in Cincinnati and then making the bold choice to part company with her long-time coach, the Kazakh didn't procrastinate, successfully overcoming qualifier Aiava in the first round of the New York Major (6-1, 7-6).

After starting the match on her own, the world number 4 resisted her opponent's comeback perfectly to win the tiebreak and avoid a potentially dangerous third set.

Highly effective, she will now face a Frenchwoman in the second round, as qualifier Jessika Ponchet awaits her.