Elena Rybakina Stages Remarkable Comeback to Secure Abu Dhabi Open Victory

Experience the nail-biting journey as Elena Rybakina, the No.1 seed, overcomes setbacks to emerge victorious in a stunning three-set match at the Abu Dhabi Open.

In a thrilling second-round match at the Abu Dhabi Open, top seed Elena Rybakina displayed her resilience by staging a comeback to defeat American Danielle Collins. Despite being a set and a breakdown, Rybakina clinched the victory with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win in a captivating battle lasting 2 hours and 17 minutes.

Rybakina, a former Wimbledon champion, has consistently reached the last eight in Abu Dhabi. Notably, she faced defeats at this stage in 2021 against Aryna Sabalenka and last year against Beatriz Haddad Maia. Now, she eyes her first semifinal in Abu Dhabi, where she will face lucky loser Cristina Bucsa. Bucsa secured her spot in the quarterfinals by defeating qualifier Heather Watson 7-6(7-1), 7-5.

Collins started strong, dominating the first set and securing an early break lead in the second. However, Rybakina responded promptly with a break back. Despite some ups and downs, a crucial turning point came in a four-deuce tussle on Collins’s serve, where Rybakina converted her fourth break point, leveling the set at 3-3.

The decider saw a tight exchange of service breaks, but it was Rybakina who made the decisive move in the fifth game, breaking for a 3-2 lead. Collins struggled to maintain her intensity, leading to a shift in the dynamics. Rybakina capitalized on deep returns, drawing errors from Collins, and secured another break to seal the victory.

Rybakina’s performance in the last two sets showcased her prowess with 20 winners to 12 unforced errors, while Collins faced challenges with a ratio of 16 winners to 22 unforced errors. The Kazakhstani player now looks ahead to her upcoming challenge in the quest for her first Abu Dhabi semifinal appearance.

IANS

Advertisement

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More