"I should have maybe stepped in a bit more": Elena Rybakina highlights primary reason behind Madrid Open semifinal defeat

WTA
Saturday, 04 May 2024 at 10:25
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World number four Elena Rybakina believes that she could not match the intensity of Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka from the second set onwards, which became the primary reason for her defeat in the semifinal of the Madrid Open.
The 24-year-old lost the last-four clash against the reigning world number two with a score of 1-6, 7-5, 7-6. Talking after the match, Rybakina highlighted how she could not match Sabalenka's intensity on the day, especially from the second set onwards.
"It was just a regular ball,” she said. “I think that I choose the correct angle and everything. It's just I went for too much and it went wide. I was feeling that she raised the level in the second set, and I also didn't stay maybe aggressive in some moments, maybe playing a bit too passive. I should have maybe stepped in a bit more.”
Talking about her overall performance in the competition as well as on clay court, Rybakina stated that she is very satisfied.
"Without a doubt, the start of the clay court season is very good,” she said. “Despite the defeat today, I think I played really well. I did everything the right way. Only a couple of points ended up making the difference.”
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Elena Rybakina suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the semifinal of the Madrid Open. 
"Now I am very happy with my level and with how I feel physically on the court. Now it will be important to take a few days off and then try to adjust to the conditions in Rome, because the ball is very different there. Normally I suffer with allergies in Rome. Last year I was lucky because there was a lot of rain, we will see this year."
Before coming into the competition, Rybakina had an impressive outing in the Stuttgart Open as well, where she went on to clinch the title after beating Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-2.

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