Tennis Star Elena Rybakina Overcomes Early Setback to Advance at French Open
World number four Elena Rybakina Rallies to Secure Victory
French Open, Paris – May 30, 2023
World number four Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan fought back from an early deficit to defeat Belgium’s Greet Minnen and reach the second round of the French Open. The 2022 Wimbledon champion was broken in the opening game but rallied to win 10 consecutive games, sealing a 6-2, 6-3 victory on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
“Despite a slow start, the 24-year-old Rybakina showcased her resilience, taking control of the match and cruising to a straightforward victory.”
The Kazakh player, who reached the French Open semi-finals in 2021, is seeking to add to her title triumphs earlier this year in Brisbane, Abu Dhabi, and the Stuttgart Open.
Rybakina’s second-round opponent will be either three-time major winner Angelique Kerber of Germany or Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands. The day’s play at Roland Garros was interrupted by rain, but Rybakina managed to complete her match swiftly under the roof.
Elsewhere, women’s second seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus will kick off her campaign on Tuesday against Russian teenager Erika Andreeva. British number one Katie Boulter also takes the court, facing Spain’s former quarter-finalist Paula Badosa.
🔗 Source
