Elena Rybakina defeats Mayar Sherif in straight sets to reach 2024 Madrid Open round of 16
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Updated 28/04/2024 at 20:43 GMT
Women's tennis world No. 4 Elena Rybakina enjoyed a straight sets victory over Egypt's Mayar Sherif on Sunday at the 2024 Madrid Open. The Kazakh player swept aside her opponent 6-1 in the first set before having to win the second 6-4 to clinch victory. Rybakina will next face Sara Bejlek while Mirra Andreeva upset seventh seed Marketa Vondrousova and Aryna Sabalenka narrowly avoided an upset.
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Elena Rybakina defeated Mayar Sherif 6-1 6-4 to reach the last 16 at the Madrid Open in their match on Sunday.
The Kazakh player had beaten Lucia Bronzetti in her previous match, while Sherif had impressed with a win over world No. 25 Marta Kostyuk.
Rybakina has already earned three titles this year as she guns for the No. 1 spot with Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek above her in the rankings.
Rybakina appeared determined and thoroughly outclassed her opponent as she raced to bagel the first set and tee up a routine victory ahead of the last 16, but Sherif secured a single game in the first set before losing it 6-1.
The second set was much closer but Rybakina had already broken Sherif as she moved 4-3 ahead with her serve still to follow.
The world No. 4 moved a game from victory as she held her nerve, with the pressure on Sherif not to be broken.
The Egyptian served successfully but was unable to break back and lost the second set 6-4.
Speaking on court after her win, Rybakina explained she was optimistic about the rest of the year, if she kept up her form and fitness.
She said: "If I continue like this, it'll be great. I'll try to do my best and stay consistent, most importantly healthy. So far I'm playing really well. I just want to keep on going."
Rybakina will next face 18-year-old qualifier Sara Bejlek, who reached the last 16 with a 6-3 6-1 victory over Ashlyn Krueger.
"I've never played against a player like this," Bejlek said about facing Rybakina.
"But I will try my best and we'll see how it will goes tomorrow. I'm looking forward to that match."
World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka narrowly avoided an upset as she won 6-1 6-7(5) 6-4 against 19-year-old Robin Montgomery.
Sabalenka cruised through the first set against the world No. 183 but lost the second in a tie-breaker.
The deciding set was tightly contested until the 10th game when Sabalenka broke to love to book her place in the next round.
Mirra Andreeva made the last 16 in Madrid for the second straight year with a 7-5 6-1 win over seventh seed Marketa Vondrousova.
Andreeva, 16, recorded the second top-10 win of her career as she upset the Wimbledon champion.
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