Elena Rybakina, the reigning Wimbledon champion, made a strong statement in her second-round match, dispatching Romanian qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1. The Kazakh fourth seed, who has been battling illness and fitness issues recently, showcased her powerful game and impressive movement, proving too much for Ruse to handle.
Rybakina started the match slowly, dropping her first service game as she worked to find her rhythm. However, she quickly settled in, unleashing her powerful serves and heavy groundstrokes. Ruse, who had qualified for the tournament without dropping a set, struggled to cope with the barrage of attacks.
In the second set, Ruse’s struggles continued as she slipped and needed treatment on court. Despite returning to the match, she couldn’t find her footing against the dominant Rybakina, who wrapped up the match in just over an hour.
“Really happy to win my first match here this year. I didn’t play on grass too much this year because I’ve had some issues,” Rybakina said. “I’m just keeping all the emotions inside, sometimes it’s not easy but I’m looking forward to the next one. I just want to be happy on the court, that’s my goal now.”
Rybakina’s victory sets her up for a potential third-round clash with either Coco Gauff or Mirra Andreeva. With her powerful game and growing confidence, the defending champion will be a formidable force as she aims for a repeat Wimbledon title.
