Elena Rybakina beats Svitolina to Reach the French Open 2024 Quarter-Final

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Kazakh fourth seed Elena Rybakina secured her spot in the French Open quarter-finals with an easy victory over Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, making her second time in the quarter-final of Roland Garros. Rybakina, who previously reached the quarter-finals in 2021, showcased her growing confidence and quality on the clay courts, clinching a 6-4, 6-3 win.

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Elena Rybakina Overcoming Early Struggles at French Open 2024

The match began with Rybakina struggling to find her rhythm. Despite this, she managed to break Svitolina in the first game. However, her misfiring forehand allowed Svitolina to break back, making the initial stages of the match competitive. Rybakina’s composed demeanour, marked only by a slight shake of the head, indicated her determination to overcome her early inconsistencies.

Rybakina adjusted her strategy, moving Svitolina around the court and approaching the net more frequently. These tactical changes helped her re-establish a break lead, which she maintained to close out the first set. Her ability to adapt and refine her game plan demonstrated her maturity and growing prowess on the clay surface.

How Elena Rybakina Dominant the Second Set

The second set saw Rybakina break Svitolina’s serve immediately, finding her timing on the forehand and serving more effectively. Although she let a double break lead slip, allowing Svitolina to claw back to 4-3, Rybakina’s powerful groundstrokes and strong serve ultimately secured her victory. This win ensures she remains the only player in the tournament with a positive head-to-head record against the top seed, Iga Swiatek.

Rybakina’s next challenge will be against either Italian 12th seed Jasmine Paolini or Russia’s Elina Avanesyan, with a spot in the semi-finals at stake. Reflecting on her performance, Rybakina expressed satisfaction with her progress. “I’m really happy with the performance – she is a great fighter,” she said. “I am really proud of how I have improved in the last few years and I am happy to finally play under an open roof with good weather.”

As Rybakina looks forward to her next match, the competition continues to intensify. Second seed Aryna Sabalenka will continue her quest for a first French Open title against rising star Emma Navarro. The winner of that encounter will face either Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva or France’s Varvara Gracheva, adding to the excitement and anticipation of the tournament.

Rybakina’s journey to the quarter-finals underscores her resilience and adaptability. Her victory over Svitolina, especially considering their previous clay-court encounter in 2020, highlights her growth as a player. No longer just a participant, Rybakina is now a major champion and a consistent presence in the world’s top five.

Elena Rybakina vs Elina Svitolina Key Match Moments: French Open 2024

• First Set: Rybakina broke Svitolina in the opening game, faced an immediate break back, but ultimately closed out the set 6-4 by moving her opponent around and coming to the net.
• Second Set: After breaking early, Rybakina found her forehand timing, leading 4-1 before Svitolina fought back. Despite this, Rybakina’s power and serving secured a 6-3 win.

The Journey Continues

Elena Rybakina’s progress in the French Open exemplifies her growing status as a formidable player on the WTA tour. Her ability to overcome challenges and adapt her game will be crucial as she aims to advance beyond the quarter-finals for the first time at Roland Garros. With each match, she solidifies her reputation and keeps her dreams of further Grand Slam success alive.

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