"She’s no Maria Sharapova or Serena Williams" - Tennis fans react to Iga Swiatek's SF loss to Elena Rybakina at Indian Wells

Iga Swiatek's hopes of defending her title at the 2023 Indian Wells Open were dashed on Friday as the three-time Grand Slam champion was defeated 6-2, 6-2 by Elena Rybakina in the semifinals.Having not lost a set in the tournament so far, Swiatek was expected by many to exact revenge for the loss she suffered at the hands of the reigning Wimbledon champion back at the Australian Open in the fourth round. However, it was not to be, as Rybakina dominated proceedings once more against the World No. 1.It was an uncharacteristic performance from the 21-year-old, leaving fans on social media disappointed at the lack of fight she showed in the contest. One fan opined that Swiatek does not have the ability to make it through tough times, unlike greats such as Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova.&quot;She’s no Sharapova or Serena. Those who can dig in when times are tough,&quot; read the tweet.toine james@AntoniusJamesShe’s no Sharapova or Serena. Those who can dig in when times are tough. twitter.com/tumcarayol/sta…Tumaini Carayol@tumcarayolIga Swiatek’s losses this year have all been straight sets:Pegula 6-2 6-2 Rybakina 6-4 6-4Krejcikova 6-4 6-2Rybakina 6-2 6-2Swiatek is already making a case as one of the most dominant frontrunners of the 21st century but a lot of work be done on digging deep when losing.113Iga Swiatek’s losses this year have all been straight sets:Pegula 6-2 6-2 Rybakina 6-4 6-4Krejcikova 6-4 6-2Rybakina 6-2 6-2Swiatek is already making a case as one of the most dominant frontrunners of the 21st century but a lot of work be done on digging deep when losing.She’s no Sharapova or Serena. Those who can dig in when times are tough. twitter.com/tumcarayol/sta…Another fan declared that Swiatek's performance was &quot;disastrous,&quot; warning that the Pole's journey on tour would be much more difficult this time compared to last season.&quot;Iga’s mindset today is disastrous, which restricts her movement and everything! But maybe she needs this kind of defeat to reset, her journey was a little too smooth last year. Rybakina today is flawless, she was very well prepared! Look forward to AO final version 2!&quot; they wrote in their tweet.cyzy@cyzy20@RelevantTennis Iga’s mindset today is disastrous, which restricts her movement and everything! But maybe she needs this kind of defeat to reset, her journey was a little too smooth last year. Rybakina today is flawless, she was very well prepared! Look forward to AO final version 2!5@RelevantTennis Iga’s mindset today is disastrous, which restricts her movement and everything! But maybe she needs this kind of defeat to reset, her journey was a little too smooth last year. Rybakina today is flawless, she was very well prepared! Look forward to AO final version 2!Here are a few more fan reactions:Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸@christophclareyA rematch of the Australian Open final in the Indian Wells final: Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena RybakinaRybakina overwhelms No. 1 and defending champ Iga Swiatek 6-2 6-2 in a semifinal that, believe it or not, didn't feel that close. Rybakina beat Swiatek 64 64 in Australia#getty17719A rematch of the Australian Open final in the Indian Wells final: Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena RybakinaRybakina overwhelms No. 1 and defending champ Iga Swiatek 6-2 6-2 in a semifinal that, believe it or not, didn't feel that close. Rybakina beat Swiatek 64 64 in Australia#getty https://t.co/GhuDofSwhJEddie G.@FastEddie577@BNPPARIBASOPEN Elena has Swiatek's number. Took her out in the Aussie Open and totally dominated her tonight. Congrats to Rybakina. She's a force to be reckoned with.45@BNPPARIBASOPEN Elena has Swiatek's number. Took her out in the Aussie Open and totally dominated her tonight. Congrats to Rybakina. She's a force to be reckoned with.Ben Rothenberg@BenRothenbergElena Rybakina has a way of making everything she does look easy, but that wasn’t:6-2, 6-2 over #1 Iga Swiatek, hitting through slow conditions and dominating this dominant defending champ.Rematch of the Australian Open final, which was a classic, against Sabalenka on Sunday.37618Elena Rybakina has a way of making everything she does look easy, but that wasn’t:6-2, 6-2 over #1 Iga Swiatek, hitting through slow conditions and dominating this dominant defending champ.Rematch of the Australian Open final, which was a classic, against Sabalenka on Sunday.Raghav@raghavv_01We finally got an Iga ender292We finally got an Iga ender https://t.co/GFDuNKE0PGSuper Max 🦁🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇳🇱🏆🏆@dangerklEveryone &quot;Iga will easily win on these slow courts&quot;Rybakina said...261Everyone &quot;Iga will easily win on these slow courts&quot;Rybakina said... https://t.co/KE8ESmkuigAxel Clauberg@axelclauberg@TennisChannel @iga_swiatek is a sore loser. Not a very warm handshake. Tough lesson learned. There is always somebody bigger and better than you.91@TennisChannel @iga_swiatek is a sore loser. Not a very warm handshake. Tough lesson learned. There is always somebody bigger and better than you.Leejmcintosh@leejmcintosh@PHShriver Iga doesn’t have a plan B. Put her under pressure and she crumbles. Sabalanka and rybakina are 1&amp;2 in the world right now.4@PHShriver Iga doesn’t have a plan B. Put her under pressure and she crumbles. Sabalanka and rybakina are 1&amp;2 in the world right now.Landis Myer@TennS4Ever@PHShriver what exactly is Iga's plan B? her game has no variety, no second gear, its kind of shocking to see3@PHShriver what exactly is Iga's plan B? her game has no variety, no second gear, its kind of shocking to seeMariaShockapova@MariaShockapova@PHShriver Iga still didnt find a solution to her rybakina problem1@PHShriver Iga still didnt find a solution to her rybakina problemScriabina@drschumann1@PHShriver Such a disappointing match, and Iga's team isn't looking supportive at all -- it's all doom &amp; gloom.1@PHShriver Such a disappointing match, and Iga's team isn't looking supportive at all -- it's all doom &amp; gloom.alerim@alerim10@PHShriver Mentally broken : both Iga and her psychologist.1@PHShriver Mentally broken : both Iga and her psychologist.&quot;It was one of the best matches this season&quot; - Elena Rybakina after trouncing Iga SwiatekElena Rybakina and Iga SwiatekElena Rybakina was ecstatic after getting the better of Iga Swiatek for the second time this season. Reflecting on the win on Friday, Rybakina stated that it was one of her best matches of the season so far.&quot;I didn't expect I would play that well today. I had nothing to lose, I just wanted to enjoy. I think it was one of my best matches this season,&quot; stated Rybakina during the post-match press conference.Rybakina elaborated further, acknowledging her fine performance and the favorable playing conditions.&quot;I really played well today, it was a really nice atmosphere tonight,&quot; she added.Rybakina will face Aryna Sabalenka in the final on Sunday. She will be keen to take revenge on the Belarusian for her 2023 Australian Open final defeat. Meanwhile, Swiatek will be hopeful of bouncing back at the upcoming Miami Open, where she is the defending champion once again.

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