Fans reacted to the cold greeting between Jelena Ostapenko and Elena Rybakina after their match at the Western & Southern Open.
In the second round of the WTA 1000 event, there was an enticing showdown between two former Grand Slam champions, facing each other for the fifth time with a previous H2H record of 2-2.
Kazakhstani player Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, defeated Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion, with a score of 6-7(6), 6-2, 6-4.
In a tough battle where Rybakina had to overcome a deficit, she secured an important victory. Alongside the intriguing match, fans were surprised by the chilly handshake that Ostapenko offered to Rybakina.
"I understand being disappointed but these unprofessional drive-by handshakes by the women are tiresome and too common. They need to learn to be gracious at the net," a fan tweeted.
I understand being disappointed but these unprofessional drive by handshakes by the women are tiresome and too common. They need to learn to be gracious at the net.
Finds the finish line 💪 Elena Rybakina outlasts Ostapenko for a place in the Round of 16. #CincyTennis
"Love how (randomly) Ostapenko does not like Rybakina. Not sure what's to dislike about the quiet Kazakh but Jelena has found it," another fan wrote
Love how (randomly) Ostapenko does not like Rybakina. Not sure what’s to dislike about the quiet Kazakh but Jelena has found it. 😂
Finds the finish line 💪 Elena Rybakina outlasts Ostapenko for a place in the Round of 16. #CincyTennis
“Wins the battle of the former grand slam champions? Once a slam winner always a slam winner. Former doesn't work here. He should have just said battle of the grand slam champs. Former works for #1 because you can only have one #1 at a time* but you're always a slam champion.”
Wins the battle of the former grand slam champions? Once a slam winner always a slam winner. Former doesn't work here. He should have just said battle of the grand slam champs. Former works for #1 because you can only have one #1 at a time* but you're always a slam champion
Finds the finish line 💪 Elena Rybakina outlasts Ostapenko for a place in the Round of 16. #CincyTennis
World No. 4 will face Italian Jasmine Paolini in the round of 16, the only qualifier remaining in the competition. They previously met in the Rome Open earlier this year, where Rybakina emerged victorious and eventually claimed the title.
The 27-year-old Italian is enjoying a remarkable phase in her career, securing her first-ever top-40 ranking by progressing through the ranks. She defeated Rebeka Massarova and Maria Camila Osorio Serrano in the qualifiers and continued her journey with victories over Marta Kostyuk and Cristina Bucsa in the main draw.
Here are other tweets that were seen from the fans:
I was thinking “ugh why is her sister screaming like that🙄” but then I remembered Ostapenko calling Rybakina “bitch” with no reason and also saw the stare she gave to Rybakina’s coach so watching her sister’s screaming now is pure gold✨😂😂🫠
Ostapenko's handshakes after matches with Elena are so friendly aren't they? You can't win all the time pet. Not that you do! 🤣
Rybakina's sister reaction Ostapenko's (usual) poor handshake. Gotta LOVE the WTA.
Finds the finish line 💪 Elena Rybakina outlasts Ostapenko for a place in the Round of 16. #CincyTennis
I love Ostapenko's pettiness trying to make noise with her feet during opponents serves
Good!! Ostapenko fits the description of a 'brat' perfectly. Hard to tolerate her.
