Rybakina Takes Down Swiatek In Stuttgart, Will Face Kostyuk For Sunday Title

Iga Swiatek‘s undefeated reign in Stuttgart is over. Elena Rybakina stopped to world No. 1’s attempt for a third straight title downing Swiatek 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

“It was very tough match, like always, against Iga,” Rybakina said. “Really happy that I won on clay. Gives confidence, of course.

“Of course she likes the courts. For me, it’s a bit difficult to move. It’s really slippery and you need to be very strong.”

With her serve and power, Rybakina finished with 10 aces and hammered Swiatek’s second serve holding her to just 37%.

Both finished poorly on break chances with Swiatek 2-for-13 and Rybakina 4-for-20. Swiatek was 10-0 at the event.

“I was serving much better today, I think just because also you play against such a good player that you know that every point counts, and I was pushing myself,” Rybakina said.

“First two matches I was adapting a bit to the conditions, to the balls, and maybe I was serving a little bit more passive. Today I was going for the serve, was trying to change it a little bit. So, yeah.”

Rybakina continues her success over Swiatek having now won four of her last five.

“I think it’s just style of the game. Iga, she moves really well and she likes to dominate in the rally. With me, it’s difficult because I play fast, I play flatter, and also like to move the opponent,” Rybakina.

“So it’s kind of, I think, matchup where we are both pushing each other, both trying to dominate in the point. So I think of course also my serve helps a lot. That’s why some matches I win; some matches I lose. But it’s always tough for her to play against me and for me to play against her.”

Swiatek is left searching for answers once again.

“She played better than me, obviously. It’s hard right now for me to analyze what specifically was better. For sure she served better. I didn’t serve well in the third set,” Swiatek said.

“So that’s a shame, but at least I know what I can work on and be focused on that,” she said.

“I mean, I’m always trying to find solutions,” Swiatek said. “I’m not kind of giving up. But still, it wasn’t enough to win the whole match.

“So for sure it’s a positive thing that I was able to win the second set, but, you know, I’ll work hard to be able to win these kind of matches anyway.

Marta Kostyuk‘s resumed her breakout run with 7-6(2), 6-2 win over reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova.

“Definitely was shorter match than the ones I had before today,” Kostyuk said. “It feels great. Obviously to be in the final of this tournament, it’s amazing. Really looking forward to tomorrow already. Yeah, was a very good fight today.

Kostyuk was appearing in her third straight semifinal. It’s been her best career run.

“I think it’s trust the process, really, like I really excelled this week and I tried in every match to just do as much as I can, and yeah, things are getting better,” Kostyuk said. “I think this is the most important thing for me.

“Of course I’m very pleased and very happy and surprised that I’m in the finals, but, you know, tomorrow is another match, so I’m getting ready.”

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