In a surprising turn of events at the recent encounter between Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka, the former’s dominant performance left fans in awe and the Belarusian herself amused. Rybakina’s earlier swift victory against Elise Mertens set the stage, but her finals clash with Sabalenka took the unexpected to a new level.
Defying expectations, Rybakina clinched the title by beating Sabalenka with an astonishing scoreline of 6-0, 6-3, leaving Sabalenka to humorously address her team during the post-match speeches, stating, “You did a bad job guy. 6-0, 6-3, that’s all your fault.”
Rybakina, however, downplayed the seemingly one-sided score, acknowledging the competitiveness of the games. “Well, I think the score doesn’t show the reality because all the games were quite tight, to be honest,” she commented.
The Kazakhstani player’s victory not only showcased her exceptional skills but also earned her a place in elite company. Rybakina became only the third player since 2000 to drop merely three games against a WTA Top 3 ranked player in a WTA final. This feat places her alongside tennis legends Serena Williams and Flavia Pennetta.
Williams achieved this milestone in the 2007 Australian Open final against Maria Sharapova, while Pennetta accomplished it in the 2014 Indian Wells final against Agnieszka Radwanska. Rybakina’s achievement is a testament to her prowess on the court, drawing parallels with some of the sport’s most iconic moments.
Despite the impressive statistics and commanding scoreline, Rybakina remained humble in her post-match remarks, stating, “As I said, I didn’t expect that the scores are going to be like this. In the end, I think it was still not as easy as it might look from outside.”
In a week marked by exceptional performances, Elena Rybakina’s victory over Aryna Sabalenka stands out not only for its statistical significance but also for the humility displayed by the rising tennis star. As the season progresses, Rybakina’s name is sure to resonate within tennis circles, leaving fans eager to witness more of her remarkable play on the court.
Elena Rybakina in 2024
At the moment ranked no.4, the Kazakhstani played her last match on the 7th of January when she overcame world no.2 Aryna Sabalenka 6-0 6-3 in the final in Brisbane to win her 6th career title.
At the moment, during this season Rybakina has managed to achieve an overall 5-0 win-loss record. The Kazakhstani conquered 1 title in Brisbane.
Aryna Sabalenka in 2024
Ranked no.2, the Belarussian played her last encounter on the 7th of January when she surrendered to world no.4 Elena Rybakina 6-0 6-3 in the final in Brisbane (draw).
At the moment, during this season Aryna has achieved a composed 4-1 record. Aryna Sabalenka’s latest run in Brisbane was the best achievement of her season.
Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka squared off 8 times. Their current head to head is 5-3 for Sabalenka. Before, the last time they locked horns, Elena Rybakina won 6-0 6-3 in the final in Brisbane (Brisbane International) on the 7th of January 2024.
Here are the highlights.
Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka |
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