Elena Rybakina, the defending champion at Indian Wells, faced a setback with her withdrawal from the tournament, impacting her WTA ranking. However, she has made a triumphant return to action at the Miami Open, securing a spot in the quarter-finals with a remarkable 6-3, 7-5 victory over No. 17 seed Madison Keys.
Despite battling blustery and challenging conditions, Rybakina displayed resilience and determination to overcome her opponent. Reflecting on her comeback, she admitted that the issue that led to her withdrawal from Indian Wells still causes discomfort. Rybakina shared her struggles with the Tennis Channel, saying, “I had eight days without anything, no fitness and no tennis. It’s tough to come back. I am still in pain after all these matches, but I am feeling better.”
With her injury concern looming, Rybakina remains hopeful that the extra day between matches in the Miami Open will aid her recovery. She expressed optimism about her condition for the upcoming matches, stating, “Hopefully, the extra day we have in between matches helps and we will see how it feels for the next one.”
Although she has not disclosed the specifics of her injury problem, Rybakina’s performance on the court suggests that she is finding good form despite the ongoing issues. She showcased her prowess against Madison Keys, a formidable opponent known for her aggressive style of play. Reflecting on the match, Rybakina acknowledged the challenge posed by Keys, stating, “With Madison it’s always difficult matches and she’s an aggressive player so I knew that I needed to be ready for every point and especially on the return.”
As Rybakina progresses through the Miami Open, her resilience in the face of adversity and determination to compete at the highest level highlight her status as a formidable contender. With her eyes set on further success in the tournament, Rybakina’s journey promises to be one filled with grit and determination.
Rybakina in Miami, ranking, and results in 2024
Currently ranked no.4, Elena has achieved an overall 20-3 win-loss record in 2024. Rybakina is playing at the moment in Miami where she conquered the world no.91 Clara Tauson 3-6 7-5 6-4, the world no.72 Taylor Townsend 6-3 6-73 6-4 and the world no.18 Madison Keys 6-3 7-5.
Elena Rybakina will fight against the world no.9 Maria Sakkari in the quarter. Their actual head to head record is 2-1 for Rybakina.
Elena has won 2 titles in 2024 in Brisbane and Abu Dhabi. The Kazakhstani reached the final in Doha (Qatar TotalEnergies Open).
Rybakina won 7 titles in her career: 4 on hard courts, 2 on clay courts and 1 on grass courts. (See the list of her titles)
Elena Rybakina |
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