Covid free Rybakina back to her best

Elena Rybakina came back from a break down in the first set to beat Viktorija Golubic 7-6(5), 6-2 at Indian Wells on Tuesday to reach her second quarterfinal of 2022.

No. 17 seed Rybakina made it to the final in Sydney in January before losing to No.1 Ash Barty.

With a powerful serve and having recovered from Covid, Rybakina won 74 per cent of first serve points against her Swiss opponent and faced only two break points as she won the tie in 92 minutes.

“Here is the first tournament I can say, yes, after corona I’m feeling much better,” she said after the match.

“I’m not coughing. Maybe physically I didn’t have good preparation, didn’t practice much, but at least I’m very happy that now I can play.

“No matter if the shot is good, it’s not good, I’m just happy that now I’m moving, I’m not in the bed.”

Rybakina will face No.6 seed Maria Sakkari on Thursday.

Peter Rowe

Recent Posts

Alcaraz beats injured Musetti for Monte Carlo title

Carlos Alcaraz completed his Cinderella story at the Monte Carlo Masters on Sunday, with the…

1 day ago

Alcaraz beats friend Davidovic Fokina after wedding invite

Carlos Alcaraz reached his first ATP final in twelve months with a straight sets victory 7-6,…

2 days ago

Musetti makes first ATP 1000 final

Despite losing the first set 1-6, Italian Lorenzo Musetti reached his first Masters 1000 Final…

2 days ago

Musetti makes first ATP 1000 final

Despite losing the first set 1-6, Italian Lorenzo Musetti reached his first Masters 1000 Final…

2 days ago

Raducanu closing in on Petchey as next coach

Emma Raducanu has had seven full time coaches since she started her professional career in…

2 days ago

3-time winner Tsitsipas tumbled by Musetti

Inspired Italian Lorenzo Musetti ended the Monte Carlo Masters reign of Stefanos Tsitsipas on Friday,…

3 days ago