Elena Rybakina, the fourth seed at Wimbledon, continued her dominant run in the tournament by advancing to the quarter-finals after her opponent Anna Kalinskaya was forced to retire. Rybakina displayed a ruthless performance, leading 6-3 3-0 before Kalinskaya, who had received medical treatment during the match, could not continue. The 2022 champion, who is the highest-ranked woman left in the draw, will face either Elina Svitolina or Xinyu Wang in the next round. With several top 10 seeds already out of the competition, Rybakina remains focused on bringing her best game to each match without feeling the pressure of expectation.
The 25-year-old player from Kazakhstan expressed her enjoyment of competing on the court and her desire to go far in the tournament. Despite facing tough opponents, Rybakina is determined to maintain her performance level and hopes to reach the end of the draw. Kalinskaya, seeded 17th, initially showed promise by breaking Rybakina in the first game of the match. However, her injuries impacted her game, leading to a retirement when Rybakina took a commanding lead in the second set. Rybakina acknowledged Kalinskaya’s efforts and wished her a speedy recovery from her injuries.
Rybakina’s strong serve and precision were key factors in her victory, with seven aces and an impressive 86% of first serve points won. She credits her serve for helping her in matches, especially in controlled conditions like when the roof is closed. The Kazakh player expressed her satisfaction with her performance in the tournament so far and her enjoyment of the competition. Up next for Rybakina is a match against either 21st seed Svitolina or Wang, with a chance to secure a spot in the semi-finals.
Despite her success this year with titles in Brisbane, Abu Dhabi, and Stuttgart, Rybakina had faced early exits in previous Grand Slam tournaments. However, her strong showing at Wimbledon signifies her potential to go far in the competition. Kalinskaya’s boyfriend, men’s world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, was in the audience at Centre Court to support her during her quarter-final match, which unfortunately ended due to her injuries. Tennis fans can catch daily highlights from Wimbledon and watch the singles finals live on July 13 and 14 on discovery+.
In summary, Elena Rybakina’s journey at Wimbledon has been marked by her resilient play and focus on each match without succumbing to pressure. With top contenders eliminated from the draw, Rybakina remains a strong force in the tournament and is poised to continue her run towards the championship. Her upcoming match against Svitolina or Wang will be another opportunity for her to showcase her skills and advance further in the competition. Kalinskaya’s unfortunate retirement highlighted the physical demands of professional tennis, but Rybakina’s sportsmanship and determination shone through in her post-match comments. Tennis enthusiasts can look forward to more exciting matches at Wimbledon as the competition progresses towards its thrilling conclusion.
