Rybakina finally sees benefits of improved ranking but set for tough draw in second round at Abu Dhabi Open
WTA
Elena Rybakina finished the 2022 season outside the
top-20 despite winning Wimbledon, a tournament that did not distribute points
last Year.
After the Australian Open, February brings the Middle
East tournaments that have various points in contention. The run to the final
who reached Rybakina in Melbourne, gave him 1,200 points and reached the top-10
for the first time in his career. Although the Kazakh won her first Grand Slam
at Wimbledon last year, the ban on Russian and Belarusian players led to the determination of
the ATP and WTA that the tournament wouldn't distribute points.
Her new place in the ranking will allow Rybakina to
enter as a seed, and in the case of the WTA Abu Dhabi Open, she
will have the first round bye as she is the third seed. Despite this, in the
second round she will have to face the winner of the duel between two former
world No. 1: Garbine Muguruza and Karolina Pliskova.
The tournament has a competitive draw, with the
Russian Daria Kasatkina and the former Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic as
the best classified. The other player who will have the first round bye will be
the 4th seed Veronika Kudermetova.
Other big names that will be in the draw are Paula
Badosa and Anett Kontaveit (both former world No.2). Also playing in the first round
are Danielle Collins and Jelena Ostapenko, and the winner could face Chinese
20-year-old Qinwen Zheng.
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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