Elena Rybakina defeats Swiatek to make Indian Wells final
Wimbledon champion, Elena Rybakina has defeated world number one Iga Swiatek in straight sets to reach the Indian Wells final.
Kazahk 10th seed Rybakina was dominant against defending champion Swiatek, winning 6-2 6-2 in one hour and 17 minutes.
Rybakina, 23, has beaten Swiatek twice this season, most recently at the Australian Open.
Rybakina took the first set against Swiatek in 36 minutes and raced to a 4-0 lead in the second.
Elena Rybakina has knocked out defending champion Iga Swiatek with a 6-2, 6-2 semi-final victory at Indian Wells on Friday to set up a clash against Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
Two months after Rybakina knocked Swiatek out of the Australian Open in the fourth round, the Wimbledon champion once again put in an impressive display against the world No 1.
The Pole saved a break point to hold and avoid a bagel before breaking to further reduce the arrears, but Rybakina broke back immediately to extinguish the comeback and secure the win.
“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.” Rybakina stated.
Rybakina will be out for revenge when she faces Sabalenka, who defeated her in the Australian Open final in January.
The Belarusian leads 4-0 in their head-to-head. “It was really close, we had so many battles and so far I’m losing, but hopefully that will change,” Rybakina noted.
Belarusian Sabalenka, who won her maiden major singles title in Melbourne, beat world number seven Maria Sakkari 6-2 6-3 to reach the final.
They claimed a 6-3 4-6 10-5 win over Mexico’s Santiago Gonzalez and France’s Edouard Roger-Vasselin in the semi-final.
Writing by Adeniyi Bakare