Elena Rybakina shares she and Aryna Sabalenka really go a great distance again as lengthy earlier than they turned tennis superstars, their first assembly got here at an ITF occasion.
Rybakina, 24, and 26-year-old Sabalenka are broadly thought to be top-of-the-line gamers in ladies’s tennis and so they have had a number of nice battles over the past couple of years, together with a thriller 2023 Australian Open last that Sabalenka received.
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This week, Rybakina and Sabalenka kicked off their French Open campaigns with wins as each are concentrating on a deep run and finally the title. And if Rybakina and Sabalenka attain the semifinal at Roland Garros, they are going to be combating in opposition to one another for a last spot.
Rybakina opens up on assembly Sabalenka for the primary time
“We met at a 25K, I believe, and I keep in mind I misplaced that match, however that is the reminiscences which I’ve for now, however I am pleasant with form of everyone round,” Rybakina recounted.
“I respect her for certain due to every thing that we do, it isn’t simple. She’s been on the high for a very long time. I believe when you can keep so long as attainable, it is an excellent factor.”
Elena Rybakina was requested concerning the first time she met Aryna Sabalenka, she says she respects her:
“We met at a 25K, I believe, and I keep in mind I misplaced that match, however that is the reminiscences which I’ve for now, however I am pleasant with form of everyone round.”
“I respect her for certain… pic.twitter.com/edYDYTAXwE
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) Could 28, 2024
Thus far, Rybakina and Sabalenka have met 9 instances on the principle stage and the Belarusian leads their head-to-head 6-3.
Initially of this season, Rybakina dismantled Sabalenka 6-0 6-3 within the Brisbane Worldwide last however the Belarusian acquired her revenge over the Kazakh in Madrid, successful their tight semifinal match 1-6 7-5 7-6 (5). For Rybakina, dropping to Sabalenka in Madrid was fairly heartbreaking since she was up by a set and had an opportunity to serve out for the match within the second set earlier than the Belarusian’s large comeback began.
Since Rybakina and Sabalenka are in the identical a part of the French Open draw, it would not be shocking if their third assembly of the season got here at Roland Garros.
