Elena Rybakina won the battle between two Grand Slam champions in Dubai as the 2022 Wimbledon champion beat 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin 6-2 7-6 (2) to reach the semifinal.
Through the opening four games of the match, the two players were tied to two games apiece.
Then, the No. 6 seed put it in another gear and won the next four games to clinch the first set in style.
Early in the second set, Rybakina also went up by a break but Kenin quickly managed to get the break back before ultimately forcing a tie-break.
The second set may have been a tight battle throughout – but when the time came for a tie-break – the Kazakh stepped up big time and won it with only two points lost.
For a place in the Dubai final, the No. 6 seed will play against Mirra Andreeva, who upset Iga Swiatek today.
Going into the match, Rybakina owns a 1-0 head-to-head against Andreeva, having beaten the 17-year-old in Beijing in the fall of 2023.
What Rybakina said after beating Kenin?
“I started the match really well, but in the second, I lost a little bit of concentration,” the former world No. 3 said after her win.
“My serve didn’t go [well], and Sofia, she’s a great player — it’s always difficult matches against her, but in the end, I found my game and I’m really happy that I managed to win in two sets.”
The Kazakh, who finished as runner-up to Simona Halep in the 2020 Dubai final, also spoke highly of the tournament.
“I’m really excited. I enjoy my time in Dubai. I love this tournament. Thank you for supporting. I have great memories from 2020. Looking forward for the next match,” the 25-year-old added.
Rybakina after reaching Dubai SF for the 2nd time & on facing Mirra Andreeva next
“I’m really excited. I enjoy my time in Dubai. I love this tournament. Thank you for supporting. I have great memories from 2020. Looking forward for the next match.” ❤️
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) February 20, 2025
Tennis World USA