Rybakina triumphs at Hobart International after defeating Zhang

Elena Rybakina defeated Shuai Zhang in the final at the 2020 Hobart International as she lifted the first trophy of 2020.

After getting close to winning last week in Shenzhen, Rybakina did not hesitate this time in Hobart and grabbed her first trophy of 2020.

En route to the final, she defeated, Zidansek, Cornet, Cabrera, and Watson. The third-seeded Rybakina faced fourth-seeded Shuai Zhang in the final. It was not an obstacle for her as she defeated the Chinese player after an hour and a half 7-6, 6-3. After a successful final match, Elena said:

"I started very well, then, again, I lost concentration for a few games, but I managed to come back and win the [opening] set. It was not easy, it was windy a bit. In the second set, I played much better. Last week in Shenzhen, my opponent played really well, and it was a tough match. Today I was just maybe more focused because it’s the second time in the final. Of course, I wanted to win so much. I just was focused 100 percent."

In the WTA Ranking, she will move to 26th place what is her career-high. At the upcoming Australian Open, as a 29th seeded, Rybakina will be facing Bernarda Pera in the first round.