Elena Rybakina took a huge weight off her shoulders with yesterday’s victory over Aryna Sabalenka. In the first place, having won a WTA 1000 tournament for the first time, but above all having “avenged” the painful defeat against the Belarusian a few months ago in the final of the Australian Open.
Before yesterday, the Kazakh had never managed to beat the number two in the world. A double satisfaction, therefore, that also propels her to seventh position in the standings.
His impressions at the press conference: “I feel great, it’s been a tough two weeks, but really positive for me. I think the first set was crucial, we both had a lot of chances, but in the end it went my way, so I think it was the most important moment.
Then it was a bit easier to start the second set with a break so early. Also, the conditions were difficult, they changed a bit with a lot of wind, so it became very difficult to play.
Having this lead on the scoreboard made all the difference,” the 23-year-old analyzed. On the rematch against Sabalenka: “It was a different match from the one we played in Australia, especially in the first set, because she committed a couple of double faults that gave me the advantage, although then I took advantage of this opportunity that other times I did not know how to take advantage of.
She obviously made the difference, because in Australia she also served very well, she played the second serve with the same speed as the first, she was really aggressive. Here I took advantage of my opportunities and was more aggressive.
It wasn’t easy to find the rhythm against this profile of players”, she explained. There were no shortage of tense moments: “With my first serve it didn’t work out the way I wanted, of course, but that’s how I got to this match.
With the second serve I tried to push more, I remember that in Australia she pressed a lot with the second serve, so I knew that I had to improve a lot in that aspect. I think here in Indian Wells, given the slightly slower conditions, it was a lot easier to play the next shot.
I also tried to change the second serve, I think that was also important at the end of this match.”
Looking ahead to the next events and to the first place in the ranking
Now head to Miami: “I will try to focus on each game, because I think it is very difficult to face a challenge like this.
I know Iga has done it, so I have a lot of respect for him, but the trip to Miami is still long, the conditions are totally different, it’s very windy and very humid, so it will be a lot to adjust to.
I think that will be the goal at the end of the day, but when I go out on court to compete, that’s all I think about other than getting ready for the next game.” Finally, about the great goal of his career: “Of course, I think the biggest goal is to become No. 1, although there is still a long way to go.
But yes, that would be the ultimate goal. For now I am number 7, but we already know how fast the ranking changes, so I have to focus on the next tournament I play.
I try not to think too much about qualifying, especially now that we still have a long way to go. It’s just the beginning of the year, it doesn’t mean anything, there are many tournaments to play”, he concluded.
Elena Rybakina edged out the world number one and two last week to win her first 1000 category tournament, confirming her great momentum and game after winning Wimbledo last year.
- Will she be champion in Miami and number one in the world?
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