BREAKING: Elena Rybakina has just powered past Iga Swiatek with a stunning 7-5, 6-1 victory, eliminating the Polish star from the Australian Open and ending her quest for a first Grand Slam title. This decisive win occurred on January 25, 2024, at Melbourne Park, signaling Rybakina’s return to top form.
Rybakina, the fifth seed, showcased her dominance, marking her eighth consecutive victory over top-10 opponents. This match was particularly crucial, as Swiatek needed the Australian Open trophy to complete her career Grand Slam. Rybakina’s powerful serve, with an impressive 11 aces, was pivotal after a tightly contested first set.
“I’m really happy with the win, and happy that it was in straight sets,” Rybakina said post-match. She acknowledged her struggles with serving initially but expressed confidence in her performance. “I gained some confidence throughout tough matches. Of course, this is something I tried to carry to this year,” she added.
The win sets Rybakina up for a semi-final showdown against American Jessica Pegula, who also secured her spot by defeating Amanda Anisimova 6-2, 7-6 (1). Pegula’s victory marks her first semi-final appearance at the Australian Open at the age of 31, showcasing her impressive journey in women’s tennis.
For Swiatek, this loss adds to a troubling trend, as she has now won only one of her last seven matches against top-10 players. “I’m not happy with the result,” Swiatek admitted. She acknowledged the match’s intensity and recognized areas for improvement. “I know what I need to improve, and it’s kind of the same stuff that I had in mind before the tournament,” she stated.
Rybakina’s victory is a significant development as she aims to reach her second Australian Open final after losing to Aryna Sabalenka in 2023. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if she can maintain her momentum against Pegula, who has steadily progressed, finally breaking through to win a Grand Slam quarter-final at the US Open in 2024.
As the tournament heats up, all eyes will be on Rybakina and Pegula in their upcoming match, with both players seeking to make history in Melbourne.
