Elena Rybakina achieved a significant victory at the Australian Open by defeating Iga Swiatek, the tournament’s second seed. Rybakina triumphed with a score of 7-5, 6-1 on Wednesday, securing her place in the semifinals. As the fifth seed, she is in pursuit of her second Grand Slam title, having previously won Wimbledon in 2022.
Match Overview
Swiatek, a four-time Roland Garros champion, aimed to become the 11th player to win a title at each of the major tournaments. The first set was fiercely contested, lasting an hour before Rybakina broke Swiatek’s serve. In the second set, Rybakina quickly established a 3-0 lead and continued to dominate, winning the set decisively.
Quotes from Rybakina
- “In the first set, our service wasn’t very effective,” Rybakina commented. “We tried to gain an advantage in the second set.”
- “I started to play more freely, and my serve improved,” she added. “I’m hoping to maintain this performance.”
Upcoming Semifinal
In the semifinals, Rybakina will face Jessica Pegula, the sixth seed. Pegula advanced after defeating Amanda Anisimova, the fourth seed, with a score of 6-2, 7-6 (1). This victory followed Pegula’s impressive performance against the defending champion, Madison Keys.
Background on Pegula
Jessica Pegula is still seeking her first Grand Slam title, having reached the final at the US Open in 2024. Anisimova, who also aims for her maiden major title, came close last year but lost in the finals at both Wimbledon and the US Open.
Other Semifinal Match
The other semifinal match features Elina Svitolina against Aryna Sabalenka, the top-ranked women’s player. With exciting clashes ahead, the Australian Open continues to showcase thrilling tennis.
