Elena Rybakina offered a rather critical view of her recent win over Jessica Pegula, pointing out the mistake she made during the match despite winning in straight sets.
It was yet another supreme display from the Australian Open champion, who raced into a one-set lead over the American.
However, despite a second-set fightback, Elena Rybakina showed her composure to quell any threat and secure her spot in the Indian Wells semi-finals.
She did not seem overly enthused with her performance though, in her post-match press conference.
Elena Rybakina’s error vs Jessica Pegula
Whilst she admitted that the start of the match went well for her, and that she could beat anyone when playing her best, the fact that she got taken to a second-set tiebreak seemed like a source of frustration.
Rybakina credited Jessica Pegula, but admitted: “Yeah, I think quality of the match was good. I started pretty well, very aggressive, and the serve was working today.
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“In the second set, of course Jessica, she’s a tough player. I felt that I played a little bit passive. She took the opportunity, got the lead.
“Yeah, after, it was a fight for each game, a lot of close rallies. Yeah, was just trying to fight and find a way. In the end, everything worked out.”
Then asked how her Australian Open title might be helping her to achieve these big wins, Rybakina dismissed that notion, replying: “I didn’t really think that it’s very similar, because the conditions are different. Of course Jessica, she’s a fighter, and she needed some time to also find the rhythm and get used to my fast balls. Again, it was matter of just couple of points, and then it went quickly other way.
“So I think, yeah, it’s just tough opponent, and I didn’t keep the intensity as high as it was in the first set. Of course, after, it got very tight one.”
Rybakina started this week with a doubles title with Taylor Fritz. She’ll be hoping to end it with the singles title too.
Elena Rybakina reaches new career-high ranking
Before even having to play her semi-final match against Elina Svitolina, Rybakina has already achieved a career-best feat at Indian Wells.
She is now the new world number two, surpassing her previous career-high of second in the world.
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It marks a deserved reward for months of good work, with her WTA Finals triumph and Australian Open victory unsurprisingly affording her the necessary boost.
And now, with the Indian Wells title in her sights too, she is slowly closing the gap between her and Aryna Sabalenka at the top of the world rankings.
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