Road to the Final for Wimbledon defending champion Elena Rybakina, set for potential semi-final with Sabalenka and Swiatek Final
WTA
Elena
Rybakina will aim to defend her Wimbledon title and could potentially face
Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals and Iga Swiatek in the final.
The Kazakh
player began the grass court season as the clear favorite in the tournaments
leading up to Wimbledon but didn't achieve good results. She had a victory
against Polina Kudermetova but suffered a defeat to Donna Vekic at the Grass
Court Championships Berlin. Rybakina was supposed to play at the Eastbourne
Open last week but decided to withdraw, raising doubts about her physical
condition heading into Wimbledon.
Last year,
the world No. 3 didn't come into the tournament with the best sensations
either, having only won one match prior to the Grand Slam. However, she managed
to showcase the best form of her career and claim the title.
In her path
this year, Rybakina will debut in the first round against American player
Shelby Rogers, who has never advanced past the third round at the All England
Club and is currently ranked No. 46 in the world.
If
everything goes according to expectations, Rybakina would face Alize Cornet in
the second round. Cornet reached the fourth round last year and surprised
everyone by defeating Iga Swiatek in the third round, ending Swiatek's 37-match
winning streak.
In the
third round, Rybakina could potentially play against Bernarda Pera, who is in
great form in 2023 and achieved her highest ranking as world No. 27. It will be
Pera's first time being seeded at a Grand Slam in her career.
The fourth
round would see a potential matchup against Beatriz Haaddad Maia, a Brazilian
player who emerged as a rising star on the grass court circuit last year by
winning the Nottingham Open. Since then, she has consistently improved her
ranking and became a top-10 player at the age of 27. Jelena Ostapenko, who won
the Birmingham Open and has previously been a champion on grass, could also be
a possible opponent.
Read also
In the
quarterfinals, the 6th seed Ons Jabeur could stand in Rybakina's way, setting
up a potential rematch of last year's final where Rybakina defeated the
Tunisian player in three sets. The semifinal could feature a rematch of the
2023 Australian Open final, as world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka would be the
potential opponent.
If all goes
as expected, the final could see Rybakina facing Iga Swiatek, provided both
players live up to their favoritism. Rybakina has won three out of their four
previous encounters, and on the grass surface, the Kazakh player would have a
certain advantage over the current world No. 1, who has not yet achieved
significant results on Grass.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
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.
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