WHAT HAPPENED: Harnessing momentum from qualifying, an inspired Elena-Gabriela Ruse toppled Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova, 6-4, 7-5, on the Grandstand, on Day 3 of the 2024 US Open.
Neither player opted to play a hard court event prior to heading to Flushing Meadows and the world No.122 appeared far more comfortable on the surface to book her maiden spot in a Grand Slam third round.
After the final point, Ruse collapsed to the court and lay on her back, taking in the biggest moment of her career.
“I have no words,” said the elated Ruse. “I just cannot believe it. It was such a good match for me. Barbora is such a good player, she wins so many matches. It’s just a dream for me.
“I really don’t know how I did it. I just to make every ball, to do my game and I think my father is the lucky charm. It’s his first time in the US! I’m super happy to be with him here, it’s been some very emotional days for me here.”
Ruse, competing in the US Open second round for just the second time, was bold from the very start, stepping in on return and posting a 3-2 hold with a magnificent windscreen wiper cross court forehand.
Krejciova was struggling to post consecutive points, whereas seven points in a row for Ruse seized the initiative. A rocket backhand return winner, as well as an astute wrong-footing backhand gained the opening break for 4-2 for the Romanian.
Blink and you'll miss it, the 26-year-old's clean hitting posted a hold to love. However, in the next service game Ruse felt the pressure and gifted Krejcikova the break back. Still, the qualifier was dictating the pace, bouncing, full of energy between points, forcing a lackluster Krejcikova to surrender the necessary points for the set.
The Czech began to click, calling out "pojd"—which means "come on" in Czech. A scorching angled backhand, along with a rattling cross court forehand provided the necessary blows for a 4-3 break.
Ruse wasn’t going to allow the tide to turn. A 14-shot rally culminated in a sumptuous scooped backhand from the qualifier. Still Krejcikova hung on for 5-3 in a 10-minute hold. Ruse probed and from serving for the second set, the two-time major ran out of answers, as the qualifier rattled through 11 successive points to move into “dreamland.”
WHAT IT MEANS: Competing at most levels on the professional tennis pyramid, this is only Ruse's 10th major and fourth main-draw stint in New York. In terms of numbers, Ruse's Grand Slam record moves to 4-9 and just 3-3 at the US Open.
In the past, the world No.122 has been very open about a lack of belief in the early segments of her career. That certainly wasn't the case on Wednesday in Queens.
Next up, the 26-year-old must navigate past No. 26 seed Paula Badosa. That represents another underdog clash for Ruse, on the flip side, her lone career Top 10 triumph prior to the second round was over No. 5 Badosa back at Dubai 2022.
MATCH POINT: Over on the WTA website, Ruse's bio reads, "She considers herself to be very ambitious." Well with a finest major showing to date and second career Top 10 victory chalked up, those ambitions are becoming closer to reality.
Why now? Perhaps the question should be why not? The basic ball striking from Ruse is so clean, so crisp. The qualifier is proving the strength and depth right down through the roster on the WTA Tour.
“For sure I’m very confident right now," the world No.122 said during an on-court interview. “I don’t know who I’m playing next round. I don’t care right now, I just want to enjoy. I really like being in New York, it’s my favorite city, so I really enjoy every moment here.”
