2024 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix FINAL PREVIEW: Marta KOSTYUK at peak form faces inspired Elena RYBAKINA
WTA
The WTA 500 Porsche Tennis
Grand Prix will have a new champion after Elena Rybakina eliminated the 2-times
defending champion Iga Swiatek in the semifinals with a score of 6-3, 4-6, 6-3,
arriving in impeccable form for the final. She will face Ukrainian Marta
Kostyuk, who defeated the 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova.
Rybakina's form in 2024 has
been excellent despite dealing with injuries. The Kazakh is in her fifth final
of the year after just four months into the season. The last time a player
reached five finals in the first four months of the year was Victoria Azarenka
in 2012.
Rybakina's consistency to reach another final
After falling in the final of
the Miami Open to Danielle Collins, Rybakina started the clay swing in
Stuttgart. As the 4th seed, she had a bye in the first round and faced Veronika
Kudermetova, defeating her 7-6(3), 1-6, 6-4. In the quarterfinals, she also
went to three sets against the resilient Jasmine Paolini, clinching victory
6-3, 5-7, 6-3 before beating Swiatek in the semifinal.
Rybakina reached a record of
25-4 and made it to her fifth final in seven tournaments played, only faltering
at the Australian Open (defeat in the second round against Anna Blinkova) and
then in Dubai, where she retired before the quarterfinals against Jasmine
Paolini.
The 24-year-old proved once
again to be a nightmare for the world No. 1 Swiatek in the semifinals. The
Polish player had a 10-0 record in Stuttgart and was favored to win her third
consecutive title, but she couldn't handle Rybakina, who extended her
head-to-head to 4-2 in her favor.
Rybakian has a 7-11 record in finals so far
The rising level of Marta Kostyuk
Since the beginning of the
year, Kostyuk made it clear that this would be her breakthrough year. The
Ukrainian reached the top 50 for the first time in 2021 and had since hovered
around positions between world No. 30 and 40, waiting to make the leap. At 21
years old, she started 2024 by surprising everyone at the Australian Open,
reaching the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career,
but was eliminated by the 4th seed Coco Gauff.
It wasn't an isolated result,
as she has maintained consistency this year. In her last three tournaments
played, she reached the final of the San Diego Open (defeat against Katie
Boulter), then made it to the semifinals of Indian Wells, and now she's in the
third final of her career, the first on clay.
Kostyuk achieved three top-10 wins this week, totaling 7 in his career
With a tough draw in
Stuttgart, she has secured three consecutive victories against top-10 players.
In the round of 16, she saved several match points against the world No. 6
Zheng Qinwen to defeat her 6-2, 4-6, 7-5. In the quarterfinals, she reached the
third-set tie-break against the world No. 3 Coco Gauff and overcame her 6-3,
4-6, 7-6(6), while in the semifinals, she defeated the world No. 7 Marketa
Vondrousova 7-6(2), 6-2.
The duel between Kostyuk and
Rybakina promises to be a lengthy battle, with a head-to-head record of 1-1,
although both matches were on hardcourts. Rybakina has played three sets in 7
of her last 9 matches, while Kostyuk's matches, especially this week, have been
a rollercoaster against top opponents, where the Ukrainian has shown good
resilience.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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