“It's kind of a matchup”: Elena Rybakina reveals reason behind success against Iga Swiatek after recent win in Stuttgart

Kazakhstan’s tennis star Elena Rybakina has revealed the reason behind her success against the current world number one Iga Swiatek. The 24-year-old managed to defeat the top-ranked WTA player in the semifinal of the ongoing Stuttgart Open with a score of 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 on Saturday. It was her fourth victory against the four-time Grand Slam winner in just six meetings, an impressive record to say the least.

Talking about it after the semifinal win on Saturday, the current world number four revealed that her ability to play fast and ‘flatter’ is one of the primary reasons why she has managed to get the better of Swiatek in important encounters in the recent past.

“I think it's just style of the game,” she said. “Iga, she moves really well and she likes to dominate in the rally. With me, it's difficult because I play fast, I play flatter, and also like to move the opponent. So it's kind of a matchup where we are both pushing each other, both trying to dominate in the point. So I think of course also my serve helps a lot. That's why some matches I win; some matches I lose. But it's always tough for her to play against me and for me to play against her.”