DailyExpertNews
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Elena Rybakina defeated world No. 1 Iga Świątek in straight sets on Friday to reach the Indian Wells final and continue her great form this season.
Świątek had no answer to the Wimbledon champion’s powerful groundstrokes as the Pole was overwhelmed 6-2 6-2 in an hour and 16 minutes.
With this victory, Rybakina became the first player to win multiple matches against a reigning world No. 1 since 2019, after defeating Świątek in the fourth round of the Australian Open earlier this year.
“With Iga she is a tough, very tough opponent, but if I play so well and everything goes in – because I played some moments today, I would say, at my highest level – [these are] moments where you can feel, okay, I can beat anyone if I always play like this,” Rybakina said after her win.
“But it’s the goal, you never feel great and perfect every game. I think today was just really good of me.
The world number 10 was dominant from the start, breaking Świątek at the first opportunity and winning the first set in just 36 minutes.
Rybakina then raced to a 5-0 lead in the second before Świątek held on and broke back to turn the tide somewhat, but the Kazakh held on for the win to become the first player from her country to reach a singles final in tournament history. Rybakina was born in Russia, but has been representing Kazakhstan since 2018
“If you came to the planet tonight and heard that number 1 is playing, it’s Rybakina,” tweeted former professional tennis player Pam Shriver.
Świątek revealed afterwards that she suffered a rib injury and “wasn’t feeling 100% physically”, though she still plans to play at the Miami Open next week.
“Honestly, I haven’t played with many injuries,” she added. “It is definitely a new situation for me. The last time I played with an injury was the only tournament I can remember, like Roland Garros 2019. So I was quite young.
“Now it’s a totally different level. So I feel like continuing with those races you have to be 100% fit.”
Rybakina now faces Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka for the title in Indian Wells in a repeat of this year’s Australian Open final.