“Didn’t expect I’d play that good,” Elena Rybakina surprised with her own performance against Iga Swiatek at Indian Wells

Elena Rybakina passes the challenge of Iga Swiatek to book a date in the final of the Indian Wells Open with Aryna Sabalenka.

Elena Rybakina (Image Credit: Sky Sports)

Elena Rybakina beat the current World No.1 and defending champion Iga Swiatek to storm into the final round of the Indian Wells Open 2023. She defeated the Polish player in straight sets 6-2, 6-2. This the second time she beat Iga Swiatek this season.

The two ladies also faced each other in the fourth round of the Australian Open 2023. Here, too the Kazakh player defeated her in straight sets 6-4, 6-4. In the post-match interview, Elena Rybakina analyzed her performance in this match.

The Tennis Letter shared her comments on social media.

Elena Rybakina on beating Swiatek: “I didn’t expect I’d play that good. Yesterday was a really tough match. I had nothing to lose. I just wanted to come & enjoy & it really went my way. I think played 1 of the best matches of this year. Hopefully I’ll play like this on Sunday” pic.twitter.com/XeLVpWkycc
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) March 18, 2023

“Elena Rybakina on beating Swiatek: “I didn’t expect I’d play that good. Yesterday was a really tough match. I had nothing to lose. I just wanted to come & enjoy & it really went my way. I think played 1 of the best matches of this year. Hopefully I’ll play like this on Sunday”,” the caption read.

The Australian Open 2023 finalist will take on Aryna Sabalenka in the final of the Indian Wells Open 2023.

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Chance for Elena Rybakina to win her first WTA title this season

Elena Rybakina (Image Credit: Sky Sports)

Elena Rybakina after winning her career’s first Grand Slam title has received wide media attention. She won the 2022 Wimbledon ladies singles title beating Ons Jabeur in the final. She became the first Kazakh player ever in its sporting history to win a Grand Slam.

This season, she made it to the final of the Australian Open 2023, beating some big names on the course. However, Aryna Sabalenka played the spoilsport. She lost this match 6-4, 3-6, 4-6. In the subsequent tournaments, she could not perform so well. However, in the Indian Wells Open this year, she has been excellent. She defeated Sofia Kenin, Paula Badosa, Varvara Gracheva, Karolina Muchova and Iga Swiatek in the previous rounds here.

But the match against Aryna Sabalenka will not just be a great challenge but an important opportunity for Elena Rybakina to settle scores. The Belarusian is playing in her fourth tournament this season. However, she did not had as much match-practice since her triumph in the first Grand Slam of the season. She participated in the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships but could not progress beyond quarter-finals round here as she was knocked out by Barbora Krejcikova.

In the Indian Wells Open, it seems, she has found her rhythm back. She defeated Evgeniya Rodina, Lesia Tsurenko, Barbora Krejcikova, Coco Gauff, and Maria Sakkari to reach the final of this WTA 1000 competition. She too would be fancying her chances to win this tournament for the first time in her career.