In a thrilling display of dominance and composure, Elena Rybakina powered past Bianca Andreescu in straight sets to move confidently into the next round of the Madrid Open. The Kazakhstani star continues to impress this season, and her latest performance against the former US Open champion only solidified her reputation as one of the most formidable players on the WTA tour.
From the very first point, it was evident that Rybakina came into the match with a clear strategy and unshakable focus. Her aggressive baseline play, coupled with her powerful serve, left Andreescu scrambling to find rhythm. Despite the Canadian’s reputation for resilience and creativity on court, she struggled to handle the sheer force and precision of Rybakina’s game.
The first set unfolded quickly, with Rybakina setting the tone early by holding serve comfortably and applying relentless pressure during Andreescu’s service games. A couple of well-timed breaks saw her take the lead, and she closed out the set with a clinical 6-3 scoreline. While Andreescu showed flashes of brilliance, particularly with her trademark drop shots and angles, she was unable to disrupt the momentum of her opponent.
As the second set began, the crowd hoped for a resurgence from Andreescu, known for her fighting spirit and ability to turn matches around. However, Rybakina remained undeterred. Her serve continued to be a major weapon, often clocking in at speeds that left Andreescu flat-footed. More impressively, Rybakina’s groundstrokes were not just powerful—they were accurate, often finding the corners and forcing errors from the Canadian.
What set Rybakina apart in this match wasn’t just her power, but her composure. She rarely looked flustered, even when Andreescu attempted to vary the pace and employ tactical variety. Instead, Rybakina absorbed the pressure and responded with mature, well-constructed points. Her court coverage was exceptional, and she frequently turned defense into offense with remarkable ease.
Andreescu fought valiantly, but the match felt firmly in Rybakina’s control throughout. The second set mirrored the first in many ways, as Rybakina broke serve at key moments and maintained her own service games with authority. She eventually closed out the match with a confident 6-3, 6-4 victory, leaving no doubt about who was the better player on the day.
This win marks yet another significant step for Rybakina in what has been a strong season so far. With her blend of power, precision, and poise, she’s proving to be a consistent threat on all surfaces. The Madrid clay, traditionally a surface that rewards variety and endurance, is seemingly playing right into Rybakina’s strengths this year.
For Andreescu, the road back to top form continues. Her talent is undeniable, and she has the tools to trouble anyone on the circuit. But on this occasion, she simply ran into a player operating at peak form.
As the Madrid Open progresses, all eyes will be on Rybakina to see how far she can go. If today’s performance is any indication, fans can expect more fireworks from the rising star.