An unusual situation unfolded during the match between Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek at the World Tennis League Clash, an exhibition tournament taking place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The tournament features mixed-gender teams of four players: two men and two women on each team.
In the match between the two Grand Slam champions, Rybakina started the match serving, and then Swiatek served at 0-1. The peculiar moment occurred when, in the third game, the Polish player repeated her serve, making the score 2-1. This odd sequence repeated several times during the match, with both players taking turns serving twice before alternating.
yes, confirmed Rybakina started on serve at 0-0 Swiatek served at *0-1 and *1-1 Rybakina served at *2-1 and then *3-1 Swiatek served at *2-3 then Rybakina served at *3-3 after the changeover, and from there they kept playing with no one realizing the mistake
ok, uhm... why did Rybakina serve at 3-3? Rybakina served at 0-0 Swiatek served at *0-1 and *1-1 Rybakina served at *2-1 and *3-1 Swiatek served at *2-3...
so Rybakina served at *3-3 (it was Swiatek turn) Swiatek served at *3-4, *3-5 Rybakina served at *5-4, *6-4 Swiatek served at *5-6, *5-7 Rybakina served at *8-5, *8-6 Swiatek served at *7-8, *8-8 Rybakina served at *9-8 how does that work?
The tournament format does not explicitly allow for this, and this unique situation is the only occurrence thus far. The event is played on indoor hard courts, featuring 16 players divided into four teams named Eagles, Falcons, Hawks, and Kites. Each day consists of a round-robin format, with teams facing off in individual men's and women's matches, as well as an exciting mixed doubles match.
Eagles: Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Mirra Andreeva, and Sofia Kenin
Falcons: Taylor Fritz, Sumit Nagal, Elena Rybakina, and Sorana Cirstea
Hawks: Iga Swiatek, Caroline García, Casper Ruud, and Hubert Hurkacz
Kites: Aryna Sabalenka, Paula Badosa, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Grigor Dimitrov
The world No. 1 and world No. 3 have been prominent figures on the WTA Tour over the past two seasons, facing each other four times with the Kazakh leading the head-to-head 3-1. Their first encounter was in the 2021 Ostrava Open quarterfinals, where the Polish player (world No. 8) secured a victory with a score of 7-6(5), 6-2 over Rybakina (world No. 17).
However, that was the sole victory for Swiatek, as in their subsequent three meetings, all in 2023, Rybakina emerged victorious. The 2022 Wimbledon champion caused a major upset in the 2023 Australian Open by defeating the top seed and world No. 1 Swiatek in the round of 16 (6-4, 6-4). In the Indian Wells semifinals, Rybakina was even more dominant with a 6-2, 6-2 win, ultimately claiming the trophy.
Their last encounter was in the quarterfinals of the Rome Open, but Swiatek retired in the third set with the score at 6-2, 6-7(3), 2-2. Overcoming Swiatek once again proved to be a catalyst for Rybakina, leading her to secure the title.
