New York, Sept. 4 -- Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina advanced to the third round of the ongoing US Open, following a straight-sets win over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro on Thursday, taking further steps towards the number one spot.

Rybakina broke twice in the first set, winning it 6-2 and was leading 5-2 in the second set before she faced a hiccup. Jessico broke while Rybakina was serving at 5-3, but the Kazakhstan star held her nerves, producing a break of her own in the third game, completing a 6-2, 6-4 victory in 1 hour, 8 minutes.

This is her second win over Jessica in their as many WTA head-to-head matches.

Rybakina hit 22 winners, including seven aces, against 15 unforced errors on route to her win. The 27-year-old, who had captured her se...