“I have my weapon,” Elena Rybakina reveals her secret after beating Veronika Kudermetova in a thrilling showdown in Stuttgart

Elena Rybakina is in strong lead for a third title this season at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.

“I have my weapon,” Elena Rybakina reveals her secret after beating Veronika Kudermetova in a thrilling showdown in Stuttgart

Elena Rybakina (Via WTA)

Kazakhstan ace Elena Rybakina has been one of the most in-form players in the WTA. On her first match on clay after finishing as runners-up in Miami, the 24-year-old revealed how she beat her opponent Veronika Kudermetova in the Stuttgart Open.

Rybakina’s serve was her strong weapon against Kudermetova in the first and third sets. 66% first serve win ushered her into a 7-6(3) lead after the first set. However, in the second set, a more aggressive Kudermetova made it difficult for Rybakina to win anything except one point.

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However, she showed strength and class with her serve in the third set, beating the Russian 7-6(3), 1-6, 6-4 in 2 hours and 33 minutes to advance to the quarterfinals of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart.

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Notably, this is Rybakina’s seventh quarterfinal this season. The only time she didn’t reach the last eight was at the Australian Open, losing to Anna Blinkova in the second round. Speaking after the victory, the one-time Grand Slam winner revealed that her serve was her weapon.

I know I have my weapon. My serve. I know I can always serve it out in tough moments. Not always. But this is a strength… I just wanted to say thank you guys for coming. That’s the most important.
Elena Rybakina said during the on-court interview.

Rybakina maintained her perfect record against Kudermetova 4-0 on the Tour. The last time the duo met was in 2021 Canada, and this was their first on clay. She will face either Tunisian Ons Jabeur or Jasmine Paolini in the quarterfinals in Stuttgart.

Elena Rybakina’s impressive 2024 form may see her win the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix

World No. 4 Elena Rybakina has taken her impressive record to 23-4 after defeating Veronika Kudermetova. Rybakina has reached the semifinals on six occasions this year and won two titles, finishing as runners-up in Qatar and the Miami Open.

Elena Rybakina
Elena Rybakina (Via WTA)

Illness caused her to withdraw from the Qatar Open just hours before playing the eventual champion Jasmine Paolini. She also skipped the Indian Wells Masters due to illness. Her recent loss came against American Danielle Collins in Miami despite being the favorite.

She will be hoping to win the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix this season, despite stiff opposition like Iga Swiatek, who has won it twice back-to-back.

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