Kamilla Rakhimova pulled off a stunning upset at the 2026 US Open, defeating Barbora Krejcikova in the first round with set scores of 7-6(4), 6-2.
Why it matters: This match marked a dramatic start to the US Open, with Krejcikova, the No. 27 seed and a quarterfinalist last year, becoming the first seeded player eliminated from the tournament.
Krejcikova suffered her fourth consecutive defeat on the tour, ending her North American swing without a single win.
Rakhimova's victory sets her up to face either Oksana Selkhmeteva or Aoi Ito in the second round.
Driving the news: The match took place on August 30, 2026, on hard courts in New York, and started with Krejcikova showing promise by staying competitive in the first set.
The first set was tightly contested, leading to a tiebreak where Rakhimova emerged victorious.
After losing the first set, Krejcikova faltered in the second, allowing Rakhimova to take control and secure the match.
State of play: Both players had similar statistics, but Rakhimova capitalized on key moments during the match.
Rakhimova recorded 1 ace and 8 double faults, compared to Krejcikova's 7 aces and 8 double faults.
Both players had a first serve percentage of 56%, but Rakhimova won 73% of her first serve points, whereas Krejcikova won 62%.
In terms of break points, Rakhimova converted 50% (2/4) of her chances, whereas Krejcikova converted 80% (4/5).
The big picture: Krejcikova's early exit adds to the unpredictability of the women's draw at this year's US Open.
Last year, Krejcikova made a strong showing, reaching the quarterfinals after an impressive run that included saving match points against high-ranked opponents.
This year, she entered the tournament with high hopes but could not find her rhythm against Rakhimova.
What they're saying: Post-match reactions highlighted the shock of Krejcikova's defeat.
Krejcikova expressed disappointment, stating, "I fought hard, but it just wasn't my day. I have to regroup and focus on what's next."
Rakhimova, on the other hand, celebrated her victory, noting, "I played my game and stayed focused. It feels great to win against such a strong opponent."
By the numbers: The match statistics reveal the closely contested nature of the game.
Rakhimova won 53% of total points played, compared to Krejcikova's 47%.
The match featured a total of 149 points, with Rakhimova winning 79 and Krejcikova winning 70.
What's next: Rakhimova will look to build on her momentum as she progresses in the tournament.
She will face either Oksana Selkhmeteva or Aoi Ito in the second round, both of whom are formidable opponents.
Krejcikova will need to reassess her strategy and training as she heads into the off-season following her disappointing performance at the US Open.
As the tournament continues, attention will turn to Rakhimova to see if she can carry her success forward in the coming matches.