Google News Elena Rybakina on key to beating Aryna Sabalenka: Just play better in clutch moments
by DZEVAD MESIC | VIEW 4036
Elena Rybakina thinks she will be able to end her losing streak against Aryna Sabalenka if she manages to come up big in the key moments of the match. Rybakina, 23, and 24-year-old Sabalenka are set to meet in the Indian Wells final.
Going into the Indian Wells final, Sabalenka owns a perfect 4-0 head-to-head against Sabalenka. But Rybakina is definitely not an easy opponent for Sabalenka, considering that each of her four wins came against the Kazakh came in three sets.
"Yeah, as you said, I lost the last four times and it was always like three sets. I think just to play better in these important moments and hold the serve, because I think few times it was just because of one break. Yeah, it’s gonna be not an easy match, and it’s gonna be in these clutch moments I just need to play better.
Hopefully now it’s gonna change the score between us (smiling)," Rybakina said.
Rybakina aims revenge against Sabalenka
In this year's Australian Open final, Rybakina was up by a set before Sabalenka stormed back to win in three sets and win her first Grand Slam title.
Now, Rybakina and Sabalenka are set to meet again in a big final. Rybakina will certainly enter the final feeling very confident after beating Iga Swiatek 6-2 6-2 in the semifinal. After beating Swiatek, Rybakina reflected on her path to becoming one of the best in the game.
"Yeah, I think I was improving in these four years on tour. It just everything coming together, the experience, team became bigger and working a lot on fitness. Yeah, just getting stronger a bit physically, and just the work which we did for the past four years.
It just, yeah, showing it now on the court and with my results," Rybakina explained. It remains to be seen if Rybakina can beat Sabalenka in the Indian Wells final.