Iga Swiatek didn’t hide her happiness after defeating Elena Rybakina at the United Cup as the Pole acknowledged that it was extremely important for her to beat the Kazakh on a faster surface where she usually struggles in this particular matchup.
On Saturday, the world No. 2 overcame the 2022 Wimbledon champion 7-6 (5) 6-4 in Sydney for her third victory over the 25-year-old in seven meetings.
Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina© United Cup/Instagram – Fair Use
Prior to their United Cup meeting, Rybakina had won four of their five clashes that had taken place since 2023.
But this weekend, Swiatek figured out a way to beat the Kazakh tennis star and put a huge win under her belt going into the Australian Open.
In the past, the world No. 6 had some pretty dominant wins on hard, beating the Pole 6-4 6-4 at the 2023 Australian Open and also clinching a 6-2 6-2 triumph in their 2023 Indian Wells meeting.
Swiatek on beating Rybakina: Nice I have finally been able to beat her on a faster surface
“I’m for sure happy with my performance, especially because I didn’t start well. You know, it’s not so easy to come back against a player as confident as Elena. I pushed myself to the limit. I told myself, you know, I’m not going to miss anymore,” the five-time Grand Slam champion reflected.
“So at the end, you know, in the second set, I was able to keep it, even though for sure I felt pressure when I was closing the match, but I’m super happy with my game, because it’s the first time I was able to win against her on a faster surface.
“So I think it’s a nice step forward. Obviously, you know, every match with her is always hard and will be, but for sure it gives me, like, confidence and more hope.”
Swiatek is now set for another tough matchup as she plays next Coco Gauff since Poland is set to face the United States in the United Cup final.
Tennis World USA