Elena RYBAKINA resumes clay court dominance, eases past Lucia Bronzetti in Madrid

Elena Rybakina has resumed her clay court dominance only days from collecting her latest title in Stuttgart. The World No.4 breezed past Lucia Bronzetti on Friday morning at the Madrid Open 6-4, 6-3.

Rybakina is accustomed on clay much to her behest of playing late at night but had the surprise of playing first this morning with both defending champions to come including Aryna Sabalenka. Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff both dropped statement wins on Thursday and Rybakina did the same.

Rybakina’s serve in particular was epic. She broke early doors and then lost it straight away only to break in the final game of the opening set to take the lead. The second was even more rampant. She broke at 3-1 up and was imperious from there. She took the win at 6-3 and was barely troubled from there. Marta Kostyuk who has shown form on clay recently and lost to Rybakina in the final of Stuttgart likely awaits.

Rybakina is now 20-2 after losing at the Australian Open and illness aside has been utterly superb, on she goes to the third round.