Elena-Gabriela Ruse, a qualifier from Romania, sent shockwaves through the US Open on Wednesday, eliminating Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova in the second round. Ruse, ranked 122nd in the world, triumphed over the eighth-ranked Krejcikova with a convincing 6-4, 7-5 victory. This win marks Ruse’s maiden third-round appearance in a Grand Slam tournament.
“Oh my God! I have no words at this moment,” Ruse exclaimed with a beaming smile. “It’s just a dream for me.”
The victory over Krejcikova, who opted to skip hard-court warm-up tournaments due to a thigh injury, stands as the most significant upset of the tournament so far. Krejcikova, who reached the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics, acknowledged that her post-Wimbledon commitments had taken a toll on her energy. Despite that, she had expressed optimism about her chances at the US Open, bolstered by the confidence and composure gained from her Wimbledon title and her 2021 French Open victory.
The 26-year-old Ruse, who attributed her success to the unwavering support of her team in helping her overcome injuries, now faces a formidable challenge in the third round: 26th-seeded Paula Badosa of Spain. Badosa secured her spot by defeating American Taylor Townsend 6-3, 7-5.
Ruse, who was particularly delighted to have her father, Adrian, in the stands for the first time to witness her play in the United States, expressed her gratitude and a sense of joy. “I don’t care, to be honest right now. I just want to enjoy,” she said. “I think my father is the lucky charm, for sure.”
