By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, August 28, 2024
"Oh my God, it’s such a big win for me,” Romanian qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse said after stunning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova 6-4, 7-5 to reach her first major third round at the US Open.
Photo credit: Jamie Squire/Getty
NEW YORK—Wearing an ice towel wrapped around her neck on changeovers to combat the swelter, Barbora Krejcikova couldn’t shake the stinging heat from Elena-Gabriela Ruse.
Driving the ball deep down the middle, Romanian qualifier Ruse shocked Wimbledon winner Krejcikova 6-4, 7-5, to charge into the US Open third round.
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When Krejcikova’s final drive sailed, the 122nd-ranked Ruse fell flat on Grandstand Court like a woman plunging into a pool on a hot day and beamed.
Ruse had cause for celebration after creating the most massive upset of this US Open women's draw so far.
Former world No. 2 Krejcikova carried a 15-1 record vs. opponents ranked outside the Top 100 into this major match with her lone loss coming to talented teenager Mirra Andreeva at the 2023 Wimbledon.
It is Ruse’s first career Grand Slam third round in her 10th major appearance. She shared it with her proud dad, who raised his smart phone taping his daughter’s on-court interview with a clenched fist and a smile plastered across his face throughout.
“Oh my God, it’s such a big win for me,” Ruse said afterward. “Barbora is such a good player. She wins so many matches the last two years. Yeah, it’s just a dream for me.”
Though Krejcikova is an accomplished hard-court player—she’s a 2021 US Open quarterfinalist who reached the Australian Open quarters in two of her last four appearances Down Under—this was her first hard-court event since she reached the last eight in Abu Dhabi last February.
Rust was evident as Krejcikova struggled at times to sustain offense and was frequently forced to counter off her back foot.
A compression wrap around her right elbow, Krejcikova wasn’t as crisp as Ruse. The 2022 US Open doubles champion Krejcikova committed 24 errors—nine more than her opponent—including seven double faults.
Grunting as she struck the ball like compatriot Simona Halep, Ruse denied Krejcikova’s bid to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2012 to win Wimbledon and the US Open back-to-back.
The No. 8-seeded Czech is the third Top 10 seed to fall in the first three days of play joining ninth-seeded Maria Sakkari, who lost to Yafan Wang in round one and No. 10-seeded Jelena Ostapenko, who was fell in straight sets to former No. 1 Naomi Osaka on Louis Armstrong Stadium yesterday.
Ruse hit harder and played deeper throughout much of this one hour, 45-minute victory. Exploiting the Krejcikova second serve, Ruse often roped returns down the line. Ruse won 20 of 32 points played on Krejcikova’s second serve and converted four of eight break points.
Surging through 12 of 13 points to take control of the opening set, Ruse recalled that spirited run to close out the match. When Krejcikova took a 5-3 second-set lead, a third-set seemed inevitable.
Not to Ruse.
The 26-year-old Romanian rifled a forehand return winner down the line then forced a netted backhand to break back and level the second set after 10 games.
Ruse rolled through 16 of the final 19 points, including sweeping 11 consecutive points, swarming past a defensive Krejcikova.
“To be honest I don’t even know [how I did it],” Ruse said. “I just tried to hit every ball, play my game.
“I think my father was the lucky charm on court. It was a very emotional day for me. I don’t know who I play next round. I don’t care to be honest. I just want to enjoy it. New York is my favorite city.
Can Ruse, who has surrendered just one set in five tournament wins, sustain her roll?
That will be a tough ask as Ruse takes on former Indian Wells champion Paula Badosa for a spot in the round of 16.
Earlier, the 26th-seeded Badosa reeled off four games in a row in a 6-4, 7-5 victory over American Taylor Townsend on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Afterward, Spaniard Badosa, who was born in New York City to Spanish model parents, celebrated a return to her roots.