Elena Rybakina will crack the world’s top two for the first time on Monday as a result of her run at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, which she is aiming to win for the second time.
The Kazakh secured a new milestone in her career after beating Jessica Pegula 6-1, 7-6(4), in the quarter-finals on Thursday. Rybakina has won 16 matches in Indian Wells during her career, which is more than any other WTA singles event she has played outside of the Grand Slams. She has won 16 out of 19 matches played so far this season.
Rybakina was required to perform one round better than Iga Swiatek in order to move up to No.2 in the rankings. Swiatek suffered a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 loss to Elina Svitolina to end her hopes of becoming the first woman in history to win the WTA 1000 event for a third time.
“I feel like here, the ball is flying through the air quicker. Sometimes it doesn’t stop as much as it was stopping, like in Doha,” Rybakina said of the conditions in Indian Wells.
“But I knew that it’s gonna be slow. I knew that especially if it’s night matches, then the ball is not flying as much as during the day.
“So I was trying to adjust, and knowing the conditions, of course, I changed a little bit the tactic or preparation for the match (against Pegula).
“It’s not easy to predict, and you need to be ready for everything.”
Awaiting Rybakina in the semi-finals will be Svitolina, with whom she is currently tied at 3-3 in their head-to-head. However, this will be the first time they have played against each other on a hard court since the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021.
“I felt when she came back (from having a baby) that she’s playing more aggressively and she’s trying to really step in on some shots, put pressure. I think she’s a dangerous opponent. She reads the game well.” Rybakina said of her next opponent.
“I will try to focus on my serve because it’s a weapon and I really need to use it well.”
Rybakina, who won the Australian Open earlier this month, has now posted 11 consecutive wins over top 10 players. Since 2000, the only players to match this on the WTA Tour are Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Justine Henin and Swiatek.
