London: Defending champion Elena Rybakina made a triumphant return to the Wimbledon court, overcoming a tough challenge from Shelby Rogers to secure a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory in an enthralling match that lasted one hour and 43 minutes.
Rogers, ranked 49th in the world, is known for her ability to cause upsets, having notched seven Top 10 wins in her career, including three in Grand Slam tournaments. In fact, she had previously defeated Rybakina 6-2, 6-4 in their last encounter at Hertogenbosch in 2022. Rogers held a slight advantage in their head-to-head record, with two wins in their five meetings.
The match started with Rogers showcasing her skills and taking the first set 6-4. However, Rybakina, hailing from Kazakhstan, displayed her champion mentality as she fought back strongly in the following sets. The defending champion’s powerful groundstrokes and strategic shot placement allowed her to dominate the second set, which she claimed convincingly with a 6-1 scoreline.
In the decisive third set, Rybakina continued her momentum, showcasing her resilience and determination. Her consistent play and ability to control the points proved to be too much for Rogers, as Rybakina secured a 6-2 victory to seal her place in the next round.
Rybakina’s Wimbledon campaign comes after a challenging period. She had been forced to withdraw from the recent Roland Garros tournament due to a viral illness, just before her third-round match against Sara Sorribes Tormo. However, the Kazakh player has shown remarkable strength and determination to bounce back and defend her title at the prestigious grass-court event.
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