Sixteen-year-old Kristina Liutova from Redmond is set to compete in her first Grand Slam main draw match Monday at the US Open, facing off against Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen. Liutova qualified for the tournament by winning her matches in the qualifying rounds, making her the youngest competitor in the women’s draw and the first player born in the 2010s to reach a Grand Slam main draw.
The rising tennis prospect has already achieved remarkable milestones this year. In early August, Liutova won the Memphis Classic, becoming the first player born in the 2010s to capture a WTA title. Her victory came after defeating top-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova and Maya Joint, who previously beat Serena Williams at Wimbledon. Liutova currently maintains a nine-match winning streak with a 33-4 record in 2026.
Zheng, a formidable opponent with impressive credentials, is also making her return to Grand Slam competition after undergoing elbow surgery last summer. The 2024 Olympic champion previously reached the Australian Open final and French Open quarterfinals but had to qualify for the US Open as her ranking fell during recovery. Both players now share similar rankings, with Liutova at 125 and Zheng at 121.
Liutova’s journey to the top has been supported by renowned coach Dmitry Tursunov, who also works with world number one Aryna Sabalenka. Sports Illustrated recognized Liutova as one of five young players to watch at the 2026 US Open. The Monday morning match on Court 17 promises an intriguing clash between youth and experience.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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