Alexander Shevchenko gave all the credit to Elena Rybakina following their key mixed doubles win, funnily stating that the 2022 Wimbledon champion “carried” their team at the United Cup and that they “would lose” if not for her.
After the ATP world No. 78 got crushed by Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta 6-2 6-1, it was up to the top-ranked Kazakh female tennis player to keep her nation alive.
And Rybakina succeeded in that after routing Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-2 6-3. The WTA world No. 6 then stayed on the court as she and Shevchenko edged out Ivonne Cavalle-Reimers and Pablo Carreno Busta 7-6 (4) 6-7 (2) 10-7 to complete Kazakhstan’s comeback win on the opening day of the season.
“If Lena wasn’t carrying me this match we would lose… Thanks to her,” the 24-year-old ATP player said in his on-court interview.
“For me, it’s super fun. We played maybe once or twice a year. It’s unbelievable. It’s a great experience… Especially if you have a partner like Lena (laughing). She hits the ball so well. It’s unbelievable.
Elena Rybakina and Alexander Shevchenko© X screenshot
Rybakina responds to Shevchenko’s comment
After clinching the key win in a mixed doubles marathon that lasted over two hours, the 25-year-old made sure she wasn’t the only one getting recognition as the former world No. 3 also noted that her doubles partner did some good things as well.
“It was such a tough match as Sasha said. Thanks to him also. It was really good serving from him. Thank you to our team for the support and to everyone who came,” she said.
On Monday, Kazakhstan will face Greece in their group-stage finale at the United Cup.
That matchup will see the 2022 Wimbledon champion taking on another star name – Maria Sakkari.
Now that Rybakina and Co. have started with a win, they are already well-positioned to make the knock-out stage at the event.
Tennis World USA