Elena Rybakina appeared at practice at the Madrid Open
just 48 hours after winning the WTA 500 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. The Kazakh
defeated Marta Kostyuk in the final on Sunday with a score of 6-2, 6-2,
securing her third title of the season in five finals.
The 2022 Wimbledon champion has faced injury issues that
forced her to retire at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and Indian
Wells, but she maintains a record of 26-4 for the year, the same as world No. 1
Iga Swiatek. Rybakina is second in the WTA Race, trailing behind the Pole, and
shows no signs of slowing down.
Rybakina continues training in Madrid
The Ice Queen had a strong start to the clay swing by
claiming the title and ending Swiatek's streak of 10 consecutive wins in
Stuttgart (champion in 2022 and 2023). Rybakina defeated the Pole in the
semifinals and then Kostyuk in the final to secure her 8th career title and 3rd
on clay.
Rybakina is second in the WTA Race to the Finals with 3,202 points, just behind Iga Swiatek (3,345)
Her excellent form makes her one of the favorites for the
title, and she will be the 4th seed in the tournament. In Madrid, she will have
a good chance to earn points as she only defends 10 points from her performance
last year when she lost in the first round to Colombian Camila Osorio.
She receives a bye in the first round and then awaits
either Lucia Bronzetti or a player from the qualifying rounds. Rybakina's debut
is expected on Thursday, April 25th.
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.