Elena Rybakina holds a slight edge as Wimbledon favorite over Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka claims Mats Wilander

Wilander praises Rybakina's powerful game and confidence while acknowledging the challenges faced by Sabalenka and Swiatek.

Elena Rybakina holds a slight edge as Wimbledon favorite over Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka claims Mats Wilander

Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Elena Ryakina (Credit: Sky Sport)

Former tennis player and seven-time Grand Slam title champion Mats Wilander believes that Elena Ryabkina has a slightly higher chance of winning Wimbledon 2023 as compared to Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka. All three players occupy the top position in the WTA rankings, with Swiatek at the peak, followed by Sabalenka, and then Rybakina. However, disregarding the ranking, Wilander affirms that Rybakina is more comfortable on grass than the other two.

Wilander pointed out the difference in the three players and how their approach is towards the game on the grass court. Notably, every player specializes and plays differently on different surfaces. 

YouTube video

Despite being World No. 1, it is the first time that Iga Swiatek has reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon. Talking to Eurosport, Wilander stated, “Iga Swiatek was down match points to Belinda Bencic. She did great to come back; she’s showing that she’s getting more used to the grass, and she’s talking about how she’s enjoying it more.“

Sabalenka, on the other hand, is returning to the grass court after three years. She will be facing Madison Keys in the quarterfinals, which is also her first ever Wimbledon quarterfinal in women’s singles. In 2019, she reached the QF in women’s doubles with her partner Elise Mertens. Wilander notes, “Aryna Sabalenka had a little bit of a problem against [Varvara] Gracheva [in the second round] when she got involved in a three-set match, but then she played great in the next round.”

That’s not all; as per the former tennis professional, Elena Rybanka is perfect for the grass court with her serves and skills and can easily triumph over any opponent. “When she starts getting going, we realise ‘Oh, okay, here we go again’. She’s perfect for the grass with the big serve and then the confidence from last year. So out of the three, you most probably have to put Rybakina half a step ahead in terms of being the favourite,” Wilander asserted.

For the uninitiated, Rybakina is this year’s defending champion. Last year, she defeated Arab player Ons Jabeur in a thrilling three-set match. She will be facing Jabeur again in the QF match to be held tomorrow. 

Keep Exploring: Christopher Eubanks indebted to Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka for helping him as he makes his Grand Slam quarter-final debut at Wimbledon

How the three have been in this year’s Wimbledon so far?

Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Ryakina
Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Ryakina (Credit: Deccan Herald)

All three players have made it into the QFs this year and are set to lock horns with their opponents. Iga Swiatek will be facing Ukrainian player and wild card holder Elina Svitolina. Rybakina will be opposing Ons Jabeur, her last year’s opponent in the finals of Wimbledon, and Sabalenka is set to face American player Madison Keys.

Sabalenka had a pretty easy time at this year’s Wimbledon. She defeated most of her opponents in straight sets. The only time she had a bit of difficulty was against French player Varvera Garvecha in the second round. But she eventually won the match in three sets. (2-6, 7-5, 6-2)

The same goes for Swiatek. The Polish player won most of her matches in straight sets except in the fourth round, when she had to fight two tiebreakers against Swiss player Belina Bencic.

Rybakina’s journey has been pretty much a roller coaster. Recovering from an infection, she has played with a lot of determination. She won the first round in three sets, defeating Shelby Rogers. In the fourth round, her match saw a walkover from Brazilian player Beatriz Haddad Maia due to an injury.

In case you missed it: