Elena Rybakina persisted with her clay-court form as she went on to win a convincing match against Wang Xinyu during the Internationaux de Strasbourg, gaining confidence for the French Open.
The Kazakhstan sensation sent Wang packing in straight sets, marking a welcome change in form from recent events.
Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion and a consistent top-10 presence, showed sharp baseline control and improved movement on the clay. Following the win, she shared her optimism:
“I guess it’s better than the previous tournament, for now. Hopefully, I can continue like this and feel even better with every match I play,” Rybakina said during her post-match interview.
Her show was a step in the right direction following several inconsistent performances in the early clay season. With her serve in top gear and groundstrokes in better accuracy, she’s set to create a strong run in Paris if her present form continues.
The Strasbourg tournament, a series of matches before Roland Garros, has traditionally been a proving ground for players looking to find form and match fitness on clay. Rybakina had the same thing to say:
“I believe it’s an excellent tournament to play prior to the French Open,” she explained, observing the need to gain momentum. With its strong lineup and stringent scheduling prior to the Grand Slam, Strasbourg is both a confidence builder and a physical challenge.
Elena Rybakina Eyes Roland Garros
Rybakina’s credentials on clay have continued to strengthen, with recent deep runs at Roland Garros and a title triumph in Rome serving to make her an ever more serious player.
Not as naturally talented on the surface as some of her peers, her growing adaptability and power game make her an intimidating presence in Paris.
With the French Open almost here, Rybakina is hopeful to iron out her form match by match. Her performance in Strasbourg might be an indicator of things to come for a successful campaign at Roland Garros.
As she keeps on progressing in Strasbourg, fans and pundits everywhere will be closely observing whether this newfound confidence will lead to Grand Slam victory.