The conclusion of Friday`s matches at the Mutua Madrid Open featured a contest between two Grand Slam champions. Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, the 10th seed, successfully overcame Canada`s Bianca Andreescu with a score of 6-3, 6-2 during the late match on Manolo Santana Stadium.
Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon winner, required just 1 hour and 17 minutes to defeat Andreescu, the 2019 US Open champion. Although this was their first meeting in over two years, the outcome was consistent with their prior encounters; Rybakina now holds a 3-0 record against Andreescu, having won all six sets played between them.
Here are some key points from the clash of these major titleholders:
Tracking the Numbers
Earlier this week, Rybakina dropped out of the PIF WTA Top 10 rankings for the first time since January 2023, currently sitting at No. 11. She is defending 390 points earned from reaching the semifinals in Madrid last year.
Nevertheless, Rybakina`s impressive clay court season in 2024, which included winning the Stuttgart title, reaching the Madrid semifinals, and the Roland Garros quarterfinals with a 12-2 record on the surface, provides a basis for confidence in her game over the coming weeks.
Despite being recognized as a specialist on fast courts, Rybakina has consistently demonstrated her capability to win extensively on clay, securing another victory in what is her 2024 clay-court debut in Madrid.
Power Plays Pay Off
Indeed, Rybakina effectively utilized her powerful game against Andreescu in their recent match. While the Canadian, true to her style, attempted to advance into the court and dictate rallies, it was more often Rybakina who controlled the flow of points.
In the initial set, Rybakina recorded 16 unforced errors compared to eight winners. However, she still managed outcomes more favorably than Andreescu, who registered three winners and 10 unforced errors. As the first set progressed, Rybakina reduced her errors, allowing her to claim the final three games.
Rybakina was also highly effective on her powerful serve, preventing Andreescu from gaining significant opportunities to break. She faced only three break points throughout the match, all in the second set, and successfully saved each one. Rybakina won a notable 80 percent of points when her first serve landed in.
Nevertheless, Bianca is Back
Andreescu, whose career results have been impacted by injuries since her breakthrough year in 2019, can still find positives in her performance. She secured a first-round win against Top 50 player McCartney Kessler, which marked her first tour victory since October of the previous year.
The former World No. 4 has participated in only two tournaments this season. She intends to compete in the remaining clay court schedule, including the events in Rome and Roland Garros. Similar to Madrid, she has entered the main draws of these tournaments using her special injury ranking.
Top 20 Clash Next
In a significant third-round encounter, Rybakina is set to face Elina Svitolina of Ukraine, the 17th seed. This match will be a challenging test for Rybakina, especially since Svitolina, a former World No. 3, recently won her 18th career title on clay in Rouen on Sunday. Rybakina holds a narrow 3-2 lead in their overall head-to-head record, which stands at 1-1 on clay.
Further updates to follow…
Rupert Caldwell