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Elena Rybakina emerged triumphant in a tough battle against Iga Swiatek at the 2024 Stuttgart Open and reflected on how she constantly challenges and is successful against the World No. 1 on the court.
No. 4 seed Elena Rybakina faced top seed and two-time defending champion Iga Swiatek in the semifinal of the 2024 Stuttgart Open on April 20. The Kazakh was broken in the first game of the match but recovered well to break the Pole back twice and take the first set.
Swiatek staged a comeback in the second set to force a decider. Rybakina stepped it up a notch to break Swiatek twice again in the third set to win the match 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in two hours and 49 minutes. After the match, the former Wimbledon champion was asked about her game plan against the World No. 1, which has helped her win three out of five matches against her.
Rybakina's previous victories against Swiatek came at the Italian Open and BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells in 2023. The Kazakh opined that her massive serve, faster play and flatter shots prevent Swiatek from dominating rallies. Rybakina went on to say it is always tough for both of them when they play against each other.
"I think it's just style of the game. Iga, she moves really well and she likes to dominate in the rally. With me, it's difficult because I play fast, I play flatter, and also like to move the opponent," the 24-year-old said in her press conference.
"So it's kind of, I think, matchup where we are both pushing each other, both trying to dominate in the point. So I think of course also my serve helps a lot. That's why some matches I win; some matches I lose. But it's always tough for her to play against me and for me to play against her (smiling)," Rybakina said.
Elena Rybakina reaches fifth final on 2024 WTA Tour at Stuttgart Open
Elena Rybakina has now qualified for her fifth final in four months on the 2024 WTA Tour. She will face Marta Kostyuk in the title contest at the Stuttgart Open. Rybakina will aim for her third title this year after emerging triumphant at the Brisbane International and Abu Dhabi Open. In addition, the Kazakh was runner-up at the Qatar Open and Miami Open.
In Stuttgart, the World No. 4 has had a tough route to the final, having been pushed to three sets in her matches against Veronika Kudermetova, Jasmine Paolini, and Iga Swiatek. As for Kostyuk, she has displayed impressive resilience to defeat Laura Siegemund, Qinwen Zheng, Coco Gauff and Marketa Vondrousova to reach her second final of the year.
Elena Rybakina and Marta Kostyuk have an even head-to-head record. The Ukrainian won their contest at the 2023 Adelaide International but the Kazakh avenged the loss at the US Open later that year.
