Dubai: Elena Rybakina sees off fellow Grand Slam winner to reach semifinal

Advertisemen

Elena Rybakina won the battle between two Grand Slam champions in Dubai as the 2022 Wimbledon champion beat 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin 6-2 7-6 (2) to reach the semifinal. 

Through the opening four games of the match, the two players were tied to two games apiece.

Then, the No. 6 seed put it in another gear and won the next four games to clinch the first set in style.

Early in the second set, Rybakina also went up by a break but Kenin quickly managed to get the break back before ultimately forcing a tie-break.

The second set may have been a tight battle throughout - but when the time came for a tie-break - the Kazakh stepped up big time and won it with only two points lost.

For a place in the Dubai final, the No. 6 seed will play against Mirra Andreeva, who upset Iga Swiatek today.

Going into the match, Rybakina owns a 1-0 head-to-head against Andreeva, having beaten the 17-year-old in Beijing in the fall of 2023.

What Rybakina said after beating Kenin?

"I started the match really well, but in the second, I lost a little bit of concentration," the former world No. 3 said after her win.

"My serve didn't go [well], and Sofia, she's a great player -- it's always difficult matches against her, but in the end, I found my game and I'm really happy that I managed to win in two sets."

The Kazakh, who finished as runner-up to Simona Halep in the 2020 Dubai final, also spoke highly of the tournament.

“I’m really excited. I enjoy my time in Dubai. I love this tournament. Thank you for supporting. I have great memories from 2020. Looking forward for the next match," the 25-year-old added.

Rybakina after reaching Dubai SF for the 2nd time & on facing Mirra Andreeva next “I’m really excited. I enjoy my time in Dubai. I love this tournament. Thank you for supporting. I have great memories from 2020. Looking forward for the next match.” ❤️ pic.twitter.com/KGht2Kq1IJ

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) February 20, 2025

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/jSUhyC4

Advertisemen

 Tennis