Kamilla Rakhimova is a 25-year-old Uzbekistani professional tennis player who reached the third round of the 2026 US Open after upsetting No. 27 seed Barbora Krejcikova in the opening round. She entered the spotlight against defending champion and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka on September 4, but Sabalenka won the match 6-3, 6-4. Rakhimova has a career-high singles ranking of No. 60 and has established herself as a competitive player on the WTA Tour. 

Introduction

The name Kamilla Rakhimova became one of the talking points of the women's draw at the 2026 US Open after the Uzbekistan representative earned a third-round meeting with defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.

Rakhimova arrived at the matchup after producing one of the tournament's first major upsets. On August 30, she defeated No. 27 seed and two-time Grand Slam singles champion Barbora Krejcikova 7-6(4), 6-2 to reach the second round.

Sabalenka then booked her own place in the third round by defeating qualifier Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 in only 53 minutes. That set up a fourth career meeting between Sabalenka and Rakhimova.

The matchup was played on September 4 at the US Open in New York. Sabalenka ultimately won 6-3, 6-4, ending Rakhimova's run in the singles draw while extending her own US Open winning streak to 16 matches.

What Happened?

Rakhimova's 2026 US Open campaign began with a statement victory over Krejcikova.

The Uzbekistani player was competing against a seeded opponent who had already won two Grand Slam singles titles. Rakhimova held her nerve in a tight opening set, winning the tiebreak 7-4 before taking control of the second set and closing out the match 6-2.

The victory was significant for another reason: Krejcikova had defeated Rakhimova in the third round of the 2021 US Open, when Rakhimova was making her first Grand Slam main-draw appearance.

Five years later, Rakhimova reversed that result.

Her reward was arguably the toughest possible third-round assignment: Sabalenka, the world No. 1 and two-time defending US Open champion.

Before their 2026 meeting, Sabalenka had won all three previous matches against Rakhimova. The US Open's official preview noted that Rakhimova had taken only one set from Sabalenka across those encounters.

That record remained intact after their latest match, with Sabalenka winning in straight sets.

Key Details About Kamilla Rakhimova

• Name: Kamilla Rakhimova
• Representing: Uzbekistan
• Date of birth: August 28, 2001
• Birthplace: Yekaterinburg, Russia
• Height: 1.70m (5-foot-6)
• Playing hand: Right-handed
• Backhand: Two-handed
• Preferred surface: Hard court
• Career-high singles ranking: No. 60
• Career-high doubles ranking: No. 51
• WTA 125 singles titles: Two
• 2026 US Open result: Third round
• Coach listed by WTA: Yulia Pilchikova

Who Is Kamilla Rakhimova?

Rakhimova was born in Yekaterinburg, Russia, and began playing tennis when she was five years old, according to her WTA profile. She plays right-handed and lists hard courts as her favorite surface.

She began competing on the ITF Circuit in 2016 and made her professional tennis debut in Kazakhstan.

Her progression has included both singles and doubles success. She owns two WTA 125 singles titles, winning in Guadalajara in 2024 and Angers in 2025. She has also won several doubles titles, including the 2026 Cluj-Napoca tournament with Suzan Lamens' compatriot?

More precisely, the WTA lists her 2026 Cluj-Napoca doubles title with Shuai Zhang, alongside earlier doubles titles in Bogotá, Tampico, Phillip Island and Linz.

Her best singles ranking remains No. 60, achieved on December 30, 2024.

Rakhimova's Connection to Uzbekistan

Although Rakhimova was born in Russia, she switched her international representation to Uzbekistan.

The Uzbekistan Tennis Federation announced the move in December 2025, explaining that Rakhimova has family connections to the country. Her mother, Rufina Rakhimova, competed for the Uzbek SSR during her playing days, while Rakhimova's older brother Timur was born in Tashkent.

That background adds another layer to her emergence at the 2026 US Open. She became the only Uzbekistani player remaining in the women's singles draw when she reached the third round.

Her Grand Slam Journey

Rakhimova has steadily improved her results at Grand Slam tournaments.

Her breakthrough at a major came at the 2021 US Open, where she qualified for the main draw and advanced to the third round. Krejcikova ended that run.

She subsequently reached the third round at the 2023 French Open and 2025 Wimbledon. Those results established her as a player capable of competing beyond the opening rounds at major tournaments.

Before the 2026 US Open, her Grand Slam singles record stood at 11 wins and 18 losses, according to the WTA's player record. Her three previous best Grand Slam results were third-round appearances at the 2021 and 2025 US Opens and the 2023 French Open.

The 2026 Season Before New York

Rakhimova's 2026 season included progress across different levels of professional tennis.

The WTA profile highlights her previous career milestones, including a quarterfinal appearance at the 2025 Eastbourne tournament and a win over then-No. 5-ranked Jasmine Paolini at Wimbledon, which was her first victory against a Top 10 opponent.

Her career has therefore been built less around one breakthrough tournament and more around gradual improvement.

Her doubles results have also been important. The WTA currently lists five doubles titles for Rakhimova, including the 2026 Cluj-Napoca title.

What Happened Against Aryna Sabalenka?

The highly anticipated third-round match took place on September 4.

Sabalenka entered the contest as the No. 1 seed and defending champion. Rakhimova was the clear underdog, but her victory over Krejcikova meant she had already demonstrated that she could handle a high-profile opponent in New York.

Sabalenka controlled the first set and won it 6-3.

Rakhimova made the second set more competitive. Reuters reported that she saved four break points and pushed Sabalenka to raise her level before the Belarusian eventually closed out the match 6-4.

The final score was Sabalenka 6-3, 6-4 Rakhimova.

The result extended Sabalenka's US Open winning streak to 16 matches and sent her into the fourth round as she continued her attempt to win the tournament for a third consecutive year.

What Officials and Organizations Said

The official US Open preview described Rakhimova's path to the third round as another potential "revenge" opportunity after her victory over Krejcikova.

The tournament noted that Rakhimova had previously lost to Sabalenka in the third round of the 2023 French Open. The two players had also met twice before that match, with Sabalenka winning both encounters.

The WTA's reporting following Rakhimova's victory over Krejcikova highlighted the importance of her composure. Rakhimova said after that match that she was pleased with how she managed her emotions in a tense finish.

After the third-round defeat, Sabalenka credited Rakhimova for making her work for the victory. The world No. 1 advanced, but the match gave Rakhimova another opportunity to test herself against the sport's leading player.

Why This Matters

Rakhimova's US Open run matters beyond the result of one match.

For Uzbekistan, her progress represents another step in raising the country's profile in international tennis. Her switch to representing Uzbekistan also gives the nation a player competing regularly at the highest level of the women's game.

For Rakhimova herself, beating a seeded Grand Slam champion and then facing the world No. 1 provides valuable experience.

She also demonstrated why rankings alone do not tell the entire story of a Grand Slam match. Rakhimova entered the tournament ranked No. 92, according to the US Open's preview, but eliminated No. 27 seed Krejcikova in the opening round.

Her third-round appearance was also significant in the context of her Grand Slam career, matching the best stage she had previously reached at the US Open.

What Happens Next?

Rakhimova's 2026 US Open singles campaign is now over following her 6-3, 6-4 defeat to Sabalenka.

Her next tournament and schedule will depend on the remainder of the 2026 season and the WTA calendar.

The longer-term picture is clearer: Rakhimova remains a young professional with a career-high singles ranking of No. 60 and multiple WTA 125 titles. Her ability to qualify for major tournaments, defeat seeded opponents and compete deep into Grand Slam draws will remain central to her progression.

For now, the 2026 US Open has added another notable chapter to her career — and introduced her to an even wider tennis audience.

FAQs

Who is Kamilla Rakhimova?

Kamilla Rakhimova is a professional tennis player representing Uzbekistan. She was born in Yekaterinburg, Russia, on August 28, 2001, and began playing tennis at age five.

How old is Kamilla Rakhimova?

Rakhimova was born on August 28, 2001. She is 25 years old during the 2026 US Open.

What is Kamilla Rakhimova's highest ranking?

Her career-high WTA singles ranking is No. 60, achieved on December 30, 2024. Her career-high doubles ranking is No. 51.

Why was Kamilla Rakhimova playing for Uzbekistan?

Rakhimova switched her international representation to Uzbekistan. The Uzbekistan Tennis Federation said her family has longstanding ties to the country, including her mother's tennis background and her brother's connection to Tashkent.

Did Kamilla Rakhimova beat Barbora Krejcikova at the 2026 US Open?

Yes. Rakhimova defeated No. 27 seed Barbora Krejcikova 7-6(4), 6-2 in the first round of the 2026 US Open.

Did Kamilla Rakhimova beat Aryna Sabalenka?

No. Sabalenka defeated Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4 in the third round of the 2026 US Open on September 4.

What is Kamilla Rakhimova's best Grand Slam result?

Her best singles result at a Grand Slam is the third round, which she has reached at the US Open in 2021 and 2026, the French Open in 2023 and Wimbledon in 2025.

How many WTA singles titles has Kamilla Rakhimova won?

She has won two WTA 125 singles titles: Guadalajara in 2024 and Angers in 2025.

Sources

This article was researched using primary and authoritative tennis sources, particularly the official US Open, WTA Tour, International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Uzbekistan Tennis Federation, with Reuters used to verify the September 4, 2026 match result.

Key sources include the official US Open player preview, WTA player profile and match reporting, and the Uzbekistan Tennis Federation's announcement regarding Rakhimova's switch of representation.