Years ago, Thea Frodin performed as a body double for actor Demi Singleton's performance as Williams in the Academy Award-winning movie "King Richard." Now 17 years old, she made her Grand Slam singles debut on Tuesday, as the first-round opponent for No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina.

Thea Frodin, a 17-year-old from California who was the body double for the actor who played a young Serena Williams in the 2021 film "King Richard," lost to No. 2 Elena Rybakina 6-3, 6-2 while playing her first WTA Tour match in a Grand Slam tournament.

Recently injured tennis player Elena Rybakina has a tough path ahead at the 2026 US Open.

Rybakina beat US teen Thea Frodin 6-3, 6-2 and Gauff secured 6-3, 6-4 victory over 53rd-ranked Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey

Teenager Thea Frodin lost to Elena Rybakina in her US Open debut after earning a wildcard into the main draw. The former Serena Williams body double still impressed with her power and 11 aces, underlining her promise.

World No. 2 Rybakina and No. 4 Gauff are two of the three players, along with No. 3 Jessica Pegula, who have a chance to supplant Aryna Sabalenka atop the world rankings.

Seventh-seeded Iga Swiatek beat second-seeded Elena Rybakina in the National Bank Open for her first WTA Tour title of the year and 26th overall.

Elena Rybakina says she is "motivated" by the race to become world number one but insists her focus is on taking "one step at a time" as she got her US Open campaign off to a winning start.