WATCH: Elena Rybakina smashes her racket but avoids abuse warning in her match against Taylor Townsend at the Miami Open

Rybakina ultimately won the match 6-3, 6(3)-7, 6-4.

WATCH: Elena Rybakina smashes her racket but avoids abuse warning in her match against Taylor Townsend at the Miami Open

Elena Rybakina smashes her racket (Images via Imago, screengrab from X)

Kazakh tennis star Elena Rybakina lost her cool during her third-round match at the 2024 Miami Open. As the World No. 4 took on Taylor Townsend on Saturday, Rybakina was captured smashing her racket during the match.

The match started with Rybakina claiming the first set, but it was not an easy win for the Kazakh ace. Townsend kept pushing the World No. 4 to the edge throughout the first set. The American eventually won the second set to force the match into a decider.

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Even in the third and final set, Rybakina had to work hard for a win. Taylor Townsend kept coming back while Rybakina tried to maintain a lead. This led to frustration for Rybakina, who vented it out on her racket.

However, the Kazakh did not actually smash her racket, but hit it on the court. As there was no damage done to the racket, Rybakina survived a penalty and did not even get a warning.

Elena Rybakina admits she is not playing her best tennis

While last year’s finalist Elena Rybakina has managed to enter the fourth round here in Miami, the Kazakh ace knows she is not playing her best tennis yet. The 24-year-old admitted that it will take time for her to return to her best form.

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Elena Rybakina (Image via Imago)

Rybakina was sidelined from the Indian Wells Open due to an injury and the World No. 4 is not looking in her best element even after her comeback. Rybakina admitted that she will need time to return to her best form after she was pushed to the edge by Clara Tauson in her first match at the Masters tournament.

Really happy with the win. It was such a tough match especially first rounds, they're always difficult and for me, this win means a lot because I was not really playing for more than a week and of course, it's gonna take time for me to get back in my best form but really happy to get another chance and play in the next days.
Elena Rybakina said.

Notably, Rybakina started her 2024 season with a title-winning performance in Brisbane. She backed it up with a title in Abu Dhabi and also reached the final in Doha. However, the 24-year-old pulled out midway through the Dubai Tennis Championships. She also missed the Indian Wells Open.

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