Rybakina stops Swiatek’s Stuttgart winning run

Elena Rybakina won a battle of nerves on Saturday as she ended the 10-match WTA Stuttgart win streak of Iga Swiatek 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

The upset of the world No. 1 and winner of the last two editions on the German indoor clay took nearly three hours and denied Swiatek the possibility of a trophy hat-trick in the car-making capital.

Rybakina earned her fourth defeat of Swiatek and moved into a fifth final this season. She owns 2024 titles in Adelaide and Abu Dhabi while finishing runner-up in Doha and Miami.

The Kazakh matched the accomplishment of Victoria Azarenka in 2012 by reaching five tournament finals in the first four months of Tour play.

Swiatek felt the pressure on serve as she faced 20 break points, saving 16 while breaking her 2022 Wimbledon champion opponent twice 

The Polish top seed was caught out by seven double faults among 42 unforced errors.

Bill Scott

Recent Posts

Tenth time lucky as Li knocks out Sabalenka

American outsider Ann Li produced the upset of her life on Wednesday, taking 10 match points…

2 days ago

Zverev to take over as world No. 1

Alexander Zverev will claim world year-end No. 1 honours for the first time on the…

3 days ago

Grumpy Mac lashes out at player sked complaints

John McEnroe has used a trip to Spain to come down hard on modern player…

6 days ago

Alcaraz back for another 1-Point Slam appearance

Carlos Alcaraz will headline the field as the Australian Open stages its 1-Point Slam for…

1 week ago

Djoko to skip Shanghai after Beijing title miracle

Novak Djokovic is wisely choosing not to tempt fate, with the China Open winner withdrawing…

1 week ago

Djokovic backs into 7th Beijing title as injured de Minaur quits

Novak Djokovic retained his magic touch at the China Open, winning his seventh title without…

1 week ago