Kazakhstan’s tennis star Elena Rybakina has once again showcased her skills and mental toughness in the ongoing China Open.
The world number five defeated Russia’s Mirra Andreeva in the round of 16 clash after coming back from a set down with a score of 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.
Interestingly, before this year, Rybakina had a tough time after losing the first set as she had a record of 15-2.
But this year, Rybakina has won on five occasions after losing the first set and lost just twice which shows that mentally, she has become a lot tougher as compared to how she was in the previous years.
The 24-year-old is now set to face off the winner of the match between the current world number one Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka and Italy’s Jasmine Paolini.
Rybakina will be hoping to go all the way and lift the title in this tournament, largely because of having a rather below-par time in the big events this year.
The Moscow-born started the year brightly as she lost the final of the Australian Open to Sabalenka with a score of 4–6, 6–3, 6–4.
However, since, Rybakina found it hard to replicate the success and managed to qualify for the quarterfinal or beyond in the other three Grand Slams.
5 - This is Elena Rybakina's fifth comeback win at WTA 1000 events in 2023. After going 2-15 for her career after losing the first set coming into this season, Rybakina is now 5-2 at WTA 1000 events so far for the year. Toughness. #ChinaOpen | @ChinaOpen @WTA @WTA_insider
