Elena Rybakina sent a powerful statement in the Australian Open quarterfinals, defeating Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-1 to secure a spot in the semifinals. The reigning Wimbledon champion’s dominant performance highlighted her aggressive style and ability to dictate play against top-tier opponents.
Rybakina’s powerful game was on full display as she controlled rallies, forcing Swiatek onto the defensive. Her serve proved a decisive weapon, winning 79% of first-serve points and 57% of second-serve points. The Kazakh star added 26 winners to her impressive performance, leaving Swiatek struggling to respond.
For Swiatek, the match exposed areas that need urgent attention. She managed only 10 winners and committed 25 unforced errors, illustrating her difficulty in handling Rybakina’s heavy groundstrokes. The world No. 2 acknowledged concerns about her serve and hinted at a strategic approach to upcoming tournaments, potentially skipping Doha and Dubai in February to focus on practice and refinement.
Despite the loss, Swiatek remains determined to improve, aiming to return stronger with enhanced skills and greater variety in her game. Her pursuit of a career Grand Slam remains a driving goal, and this defeat serves as a recalibration rather than a setback.
Rybakina now advances to the semifinals, carrying momentum and confidence from her decisive win. With 18 victories in her last 19 matches and an undefeated 8-0 record against recent WTA Top 10 opponents, the Wimbledon 2022 champion is firmly establishing herself as a formidable force on the women’s tour.
The semifinal promises to test Rybakina’s resilience further as she looks to continue her march toward another major title.
