Tennis

Elena Rybakina vs. Jasmine Paolini: A Clash of StylesElena Rybakina, the No. 4 seed, has quietly advanced to the quarterfinals of the French Open, while Jasmine Paolini has also flown under the radar. The two players have contrasting styles, with Rybakina relying on power and aggression, while Paolini uses speed, spin, and scrambling to win points.Rybakina has won both of their previous encounters, including a three-set battle on clay in Stuttgart earlier this year. However, Paolini's energetic style and the support of the crowd could make this match more competitive.Aryna Sabalenka vs. Mirra Andreeva: A Rematch with AdjustmentsAryna Sabalenka will face Mirra Andreeva in a rematch of their Madrid quarterfinal, which Sabalenka won in straight sets. Andreeva has since made a strong run at Roland Garros, reaching the quarterfinals for the first time.Andreeva admits that she needs to make adjustments to her game plan, as her previous approach against Sabalenka proved ineffective. Sabalenka, known for her aggressive style, will likely try to prevent Andreeva from gaining early confidence.Alexander Zverev vs. Alex de Minaur: A Battle of EnduranceAlexander Zverev will face Alex de Minaur in a quarterfinal that promises to be a test of endurance. Zverev has shown remarkable resilience in Paris, overcoming deficits in both his third and fourth-round matches.De Minaur has a 2-7 record against Zverev, but he defeated the German in their United Cup encounter earlier this year. However, Zverev's height advantage, comfort on clay, and ability to rally will give him the edge in this match.

Elena Rybakina, the No. 4 seed at Roland Garros, made a stylish statement on Tuesday with her new cream-colored Yonex dress. The unique outfit, featuring olive contrasts and burnt orange details, set her apart from her Team Yonex teammates, who have been wearing the brand's 2024 Paris Collection in orange and olive.Rybakina's on-court look sparked speculation that it could be a custom fit, as it wasn't featured in Yonex's pre-tournament promotions and is not available online. However, when asked about the dress in a press conference, Rybakina initially seemed annoyed before shutting down the line of questioning."These colors? These colors I didn't choose," she replied. "It was the brand who chose for me, so some other questions?"Despite her reluctance to discuss her outfit, Rybakina's performance on the court was impressive. She fired 36 winners and dropped serve only once in a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Greet Minnen.As Yonex's highest-ranked head-to-toe athlete, Rybakina's unique kit could be a sign of her growing marketability. However, the lack of promotion from Yonex and Rybakina's own disinterest in discussing it has created a sense of confusion and speculation.Rybakina's press conference also raised questions about players' press obligations. When asked about a range of topics, including the conditions, her rivalry with Aryna Sabalenka, and the upcoming Olympic Games, Rybakina kept her answers short and declined to elaborate.Her tense interaction with the press sparked a debate on social media about the balance between players' obligations to the media and the media's responsibility to keep things interesting for them.Despite the controversy surrounding her press conference, Rybakina remains focused on her progress in Paris. She will face Arantxa Rus in the second round on Thursday.

Elena Rybakina Withdraws from Rome Due to Illness, Title Defense ThwartedDefending champion Elena Rybakina has regrettably withdrawn from the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome, citing illness. The No. 4 seed, who has been in impressive form on clay this season, expressed her disappointment at not being able to compete."I am disappointed to have to withdraw from Rome this year, but unfortunately I do not feel well enough to compete," Rybakina said in a statement. "I have such good memories from last year and was looking forward to defending my title."Rybakina's withdrawal is a significant blow to the tournament, as she was one of the favorites to win. Last year, she captured her first WTA 1000 title on clay at the Foro Italico, defeating Anhelina Kalinina in the final.The Kazakhstani star has been known to suffer from allergies in Rome and at Roland Garros, and she appeared under the weather during Monday's Media Day. She struggled to answer questions during her pre-tournament press conference, hinting at her discomfort.Rybakina was scheduled to face Irina-Camelia Begu in her opening round after receiving a first-round bye. She will be replaced in the women's singles draw by lucky loser Océane Dodin.Rybakina's absence opens up the draw for other contenders, including Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Ons Jabeur. The tournament will still feature a strong field of players, but Rybakina's withdrawal is a notable loss.

The WTA tour shifts its focus to Rome for the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, where the world's top players will vie for the title on the iconic red clay of the Foro Italico. After a thrilling Madrid Open, the women's draw in Rome promises more captivating matches and potential upsets.World No. 1 Iga Swiatek, fresh off her Madrid triumph, will be the player to beat. The Polish star has a remarkable 14-2 record in Rome, including two titles. Her quarterfinal draw appears manageable, with Marketa Vondrousova and Ekaterina Alexandrova as potential obstacles.Coco Gauff, ranked third in the world, will be eager to prove her clay-court credentials. Despite a disappointing start to the season on clay, Gauff has a strong record in Rome, reaching the semifinals in 2021. She could face a stern test against former Roland Garros champion Barbora Krejcikova in the second round.Elena Rybakina, the reigning Rome champion, will be another contender. Her serve-based game has proven effective on clay, as evidenced by her Stuttgart title and Madrid semifinal appearance. Danielle Collins, who defeated Rybakina in the Miami final, could be a potential threat in her quarter.Aryna Sabalenka, the Madrid runner-up, will be looking to bounce back from her heartbreaking loss to Swiatek. However, her record in Rome is less impressive, and she could face a tough quarterfinal against Ons Jabeur or Dayana Yastremska.The semifinals could feature a rematch of the Madrid final between Swiatek and Sabalenka, while Rybakina and Gauff could clash in the other semifinal. The final could be a repeat of the Madrid semifinal, with Rybakina seeking revenge against Swiatek.With a star-studded field and the Roland Garros just around the corner, the Internazionali BNL d'Italia promises to be a thrilling spectacle of women's tennis.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Elena Rybakina in a thrilling three-set battle at the Mutua Madrid Open. The Belarusian star rallied from a set and a break down to prevail 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 (5), halting Rybakina's impressive 17-match winning streak on clay.Rybakina, who had dominated Sabalenka in their Brisbane final earlier this year, appeared poised for another victory as she raced to a 6-1 first-set lead. However, Sabalenka's resilience shone through as she broke Rybakina's serve in the second set and eventually leveled the match.The third set was a serving masterclass, with both players holding serve comfortably. Rybakina had two chances to break Sabalenka's serve and seal the match, but the Belarusian saved both break points.In the tiebreaker, Sabalenka's defense proved pivotal as she converted three match points to secure the victory. The win sets up a rematch of last year's Madrid final against world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.Sabalenka's victory is a testament to her fighting spirit and ability to perform under pressure. She has now won three titles in Madrid, including the 2019 and 2021 editions. Rybakina, despite the setback, remains a formidable force on clay and will be a contender at the upcoming French Open.

Elena Rybakina's remarkable clay-court dominance continued at the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open, as she staged a stunning comeback to defeat fellow Kazakh Yulia Putintseva 4-6, 7-6 (4), 7-5 in a thrilling quarterfinal encounter.Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, had never previously defeated Putintseva in two prior meetings. However, she displayed immense resilience to overcome a 5-2 deficit in the final set and deny her compatriot a maiden WTA 1000 semifinal appearance.The match was a tale of two halves. Putintseva, known for her fiery on-court demeanor, seized the initiative early on, securing the first set with a break of serve. She continued her momentum in the second set, breaking Rybakina's serve again.However, Rybakina, renowned for her cool and composed style, gradually found her rhythm. She broke back immediately and forced a tiebreaker, which she dominated to level the match.The decider was a rollercoaster of emotions. Putintseva broke Rybakina's serve to take a 5-2 lead and appeared on the verge of victory. But Rybakina refused to surrender. She held her nerve, saving two match points, and reeled off four consecutive games to complete the comeback.Rybakina's victory extended her clay-court winning streak to eight matches. She has established herself as a formidable force on the surface this season, having triumphed at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix and defeated world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the semifinals.Putintseva, despite the heartbreaking loss, has enjoyed a resurgence in her career. She reached the quarterfinals of the Miami Open and upset two seeds in Madrid, demonstrating her ability to compete at the highest level.In the semifinals, Rybakina will face either defending champion Aryna Sabalenka or rising star Mirra Andreeva, who made a breakthrough at this tournament last year.

Elena Rybakina, the 24-year-old Kazakhstani tennis star, has emerged as a formidable force on the WTA tour, despite facing numerous physical challenges. With three titles and 26 match wins this year, she leads the tour in both categories.Rybakina's resilience has been tested this season. She was forced to withdraw from the Dubai tournament due to gastro-intestinal issues and skipped Indian Wells due to ongoing health problems. However, she has responded with determination, reaching the finals of the Australian Open, Doha, and Miami Open 1000.Her breakthrough came at Wimbledon in 2022, where she became the first Kazakhstani to win a Grand Slam title. Despite the controversy surrounding the ban on Russian players, Rybakina's victory showcased her exceptional talent.Rybakina's success is attributed to her powerful serve, which has produced 207 aces this year. She has also improved her return game, which has been crucial in her victories over top-ranked players like Iga Swiatek.Beyond her physical attributes, Rybakina's mental toughness is her greatest asset. She maintains composure under pressure and finds ways to grind out matches, even when facing adversity.Despite her physical setbacks, Rybakina's determination and resilience have propelled her to the top of the WTA rankings. She is currently ranked No. 4 and has a 4-2 record against Swiatek.Rybakina's journey has been marked by both triumph and adversity, but her unwavering spirit and exceptional talent have made her one of the most formidable players in women's tennis.

Elena Rybakina, the world's fourth-ranked tennis player, has added a brand-new Porsche to her collection after winning the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. However, the Kazakh star has a unique dilemma: she doesn't have a driver's license.Rybakina's lack of a license stems from her nomadic lifestyle on the tennis tour. "I wanted to do it already long time, but I never have chance to be at one place for long," she explained. "I did already couple of lessons. I was driving, but yeah, for sure [getting her license] that's the goal for this year outside of the court."Rybakina isn't the first Stuttgart champion to win a Porsche without the proper paperwork. In 2018, Karolina Pliskova joked that her twin sister, Kristyna, could drive her around. Last year, Pliskova confirmed she still owns the car and lets her husband drive it.Rybakina plans to share the driving duties with her coach, Stefano Vukov, and her mother, Ekaterina, in Dubai. "Hopefully, me soon," she said with a grin.Despite her lack of a license, Rybakina is determined to get one this year. "With this car, if I win, it's going to be one double goal. Hopefully, I finish it this year," she added.Rybakina's victory in Stuttgart is her third title of the season, following wins in Adelaide and Melbourne. She is now one of the favorites for the upcoming French Open, which begins on May 22.

Elena Rybakina's remarkable 2024 season continues to soar as she secured her fifth final appearance of the year with a hard-fought 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 victory over world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the semifinals of the Stuttgart Open on Saturday.Rybakina's triumph over Swiatek marked a significant milestone in her career. It was her tour-leading 25th win of the year, surpassing Swiatek's previous tally of 24. She also became the first woman since Victoria Azarenka in 2012 to reach five finals in the first four months of the year.Moreover, Rybakina made history by becoming the first player to defeat Swiatek in Stuttgart. The Polish star had previously held an unblemished 10-0 record at the event, winning the title in her only two previous appearances. Rybakina also became the first player to defeat Swiatek in a clay-court semifinal, breaking the Pole's 9-0 record on the surface.Rybakina's victory over Swiatek extended her impressive record against reigning world No. 1s to 5-4. Since the start of the 2023 season, she has defeated Swiatek three times, Aryna Sabalenka once, and Ashleigh Barty once.Rybakina's consistent success against the world's top players highlights her exceptional talent and determination. She has proven herself to be a formidable opponent, capable of challenging and defeating the best in the world.As Rybakina advances to the Stuttgart Open final, she will face either Petra Kvitova or Laura Siegemund. With her impressive form and unwavering confidence, Rybakina will be a strong contender for the title and will look to continue her remarkable run in 2024.