Elena Rybakina’s third-round match at the Cincinnati Open 2025 was anything but smooth sailing. Facing Elise Mertens under the lights, the Kazakh star had to dig deep to secure a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory and book her place in the last 16. The match stretched late into the evening, testing both her patience and resilience.
Early Struggles at the Service Line
The opening set was riddled with errors, particularly from the service line. Rybakina admitted afterward that she had never committed so many double faults in a single set. Her rhythm was off, and Mertens capitalized, taking the first set 6-4. It was a wake-up call for the World No. 10, who had to recalibrate quickly to stay in the match.
Turning the Tide
In the second set, Rybakina found her footing. Her groundstrokes became more consistent, and she began to control the rallies. Winning the set 6-3, she carried that momentum into the decider. Despite pressure from Mertens, Rybakina held firm, closing out the match 7-5 with a composed finish that reflected her growing confidence.
A Late-Night Thank You
After the match, Rybakina addressed the crowd with gratitude. “In the first set I struggled a lot. I think I never did so many double faults. Something for me to learn. Happy in the end I managed to find my game. Thank you so much guys for staying so late.” Her words reflected both humility and appreciation, acknowledging the fans who stayed to support her through a tense battle.
Looking Ahead
With this win, Rybakina advances to face Madison Keys in the round of 16. Having already overcome Renata Zarazua and Elise Mertens in comeback fashion, she enters the next round battle-tested and mentally sharp. Her ability to recover from early setbacks could prove crucial as the tournament intensifies.
Rybakina in Cincinnati, ranking, and results in 2025
Ranked no.10, Elena owns a composed 39-15 win-loss record in 2025. The Kazakhstani is now playing in Cincinnati where she conquered the world no.70 Renata Zarazua 4-6 6-0 7-5 and the world no.22 Elise Mertens 4-6 6-3 7-5.
Elena Rybakina will play the world no.6 Madison Keys in the 4th round. Their actual head to head record is 3-2 for Keys.
The Kazakhstani conquered 1 title in 2025 in Strasbourg.
Elena won 9 titles in her career: 4 on hard courts, 4 on clay courts and 1 on grass courts. (See the list of her titles)