Rybakina faces giant-killer at US Open; Fritz and Tien carry American hopes

Flushing Meadows, New York – Tonight, the third round of the 2026 US Open will continue at Flushing Meadows with three standout matches: Elena Rybakina vs. Yuliia Starodubtseva, Taylor Fritz vs. Francisco Cerundolo, and Learner Tien vs. Jakub Mensik. On the fast hard courts of New York, aggressive first-strike players like Rybakina and Fritz are favored, but elite tennis is never decided by serving alone.

The big court is waiting for a new story, and it may be written by young players who have not yet gone deep at a Grand Slam. American attention is fixed on Learner Tien, the 20-year-old who just ended Gael Monfils’s final Grand Slam campaign. But in front of Tien stands Jakub Mensik, the 17th seed with a powerful serve and a modern baseline game.

Rybakina faces test named Starodubtseva

Elena Rybakina, the world No. 2, has cruised through two rounds. She beat Thea Frodin in the opener, then defeated Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-2, 6-4 to quickly quiet pre-tournament fitness concerns. Yet recent history is a warning: at the 2026 French Open, Starodubtseva shocked Rybakina in the second round.

Starodubtseva is not a big name, but she knows how to overcome adversity. In the second round here, she saved match points against Maria Sakkari before winning a dramatic battle. Her mental resilience and tactical awareness make this a dangerous draw for Rybakina. The Kazakh’s serve and early hitting should thrive on these quick courts, yet Starodubtseva has already shown she can neutralize Rybakina’s rhythm.

The key is whether Rybakina can stay in control from the start of each game. If she lets Starodubtseva drag her into long rallies, the risk grows. The world No. 2 cannot afford to repeat her early exits at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. A win over Starodubtseva would confirm her title ambitions, while a loss would deepen doubts about her ability to handle pressure at the majors.

Fritz and the physical challenge from Cerundolo

Taylor Fritz, the ninth seed, enters the third round in near-perfect form. His 6-0, 6-1, 6-1 demolition of Mattia Bellucci was one of the tournament’s most dominant performances so far. Through two matches, Fritz has dropped only three games – an impressive statistic, but one that will be hard to maintain against a far tougher opponent. Francisco Cerundolo, the unseeded Argentine, just survived a five-set battle with Jan-Lennard Struff. He showed physical stamina and the ability to adjust tactics mid-match – qualities Fritz has not yet been forced to reveal.

Cerundolo builds his game on wide movement, defensive skills and remarkable endurance. Fritz, by contrast, wants to finish points quickly with his serve and heavy forehand. If Fritz’s first-serve percentage drops, Cerundolo will extend rallies and force the American to move more. At that point, the match would tilt toward the Argentine.

The head-to-head is tied at 1-1. The faster hard court favors Fritz, but he has reached the quarter-finals here only once. The secret is not a bigger serve, but staying patient when the match does not go according to plan.

Tien vs. Mensik: a clash of a new era

The most anticipated third-round match may be Learner Tien against Jakub Mensik. Both are extremely young: Tien is 20, Mensik 21. Both are in strong form and represent the next generation in men’s tennis. Tien has not dropped a set and is appearing in the US Open third round for the first time. He made a serious statement by reaching a Masters 1000 semi-final in Canada earlier this summer.

Mensik, the 17th seed, has lost just one set in two matches. The Czech plays with a powerful serve and aggressive baseline shots, a style suited to fast hard courts. Tien is different: he wins not with power but with consistency, great return of serve and endurance in long rallies.

The two met at the 2026 Next Gen ATP Finals, where Tien beat Mensik. Yet that fast-4 format is far from a best-of-five Grand Slam match. Mensik will try to use his serve to neutralize Tien’s returning, while Tien will look to turn the battle into extended exchanges and blur Mensik’s power advantage.

This match carries symbolic weight: it is an early meeting between two players who could shape the top of men’s tennis for the next decade. No matter who wins, the loser should not be judged too harshly, because both are developing quickly. What matters is what they learn from their first big night at Flushing Meadows.

Numbers and blind spots

The statistics show that Rybakina, Fritz, Tien and Mensik are all in fine form. But their form has been built against very different opponents. Rybakina has not faced a seed, nor has Fritz. Tien has only faced a Monfils who is at the tail end of his career. Starodubtseva and Cerundolo, by contrast, have already survived severe battles.

In elite sport, the difference is not in cold numbers but in the ability to handle situations when things go wrong. Cerundolo knows how to win an ugly match. Starodubtseva knows how to save match points and fight to the last shot. Fritz and even Rybakina still need to prove that side of their game.

Fans are often fascinated by fast shots, but intent matters more than speed. At this stage of the US Open, there are players moving fastest, but only those who move with purpose will reach the second week.

Conclusion

The third round at the 2026 US Open promises emotional battles. Rybakina knows that a win over Starodubtseva will erase the Paris nightmare. Fritz understands that Cerundolo will not collapse after a few games. Tien and Mensik stand at the biggest milestone of their young careers.

Tennis has no goals like football, but every game has its own heartbeat. This year’s tournament story will be written through long games, bold returns and moments of pressure. Those who stay patient and show courage will earn a place in the bright second week. VuaBong.vn will continue to provide updates on these matches in the coming hours.