The Cincinnati Open is off to a flying start this week. The tour has seen some great upsets and extraordinary wins already. Players are putting their best foot forward with the US Open looming ahead. Cincinnati has also witnessed a fair bit of tension. Elena Rybakina’s match against Jelena Ostapenko was as dramatic as it was outstanding.
It turned out to be a tight game and tensions spilled over from either side. Rybakina clashed with Ostapenko for the third time this year, triumphing over the Latvian all three times.
In a rare show of emotions, Rybakina shut down unsolicited words from her coach Stefano Vukov. The normally impassive Kazakh informed him that she would ask for his help if she needed it. “If I need something I will ask,” said Rybakina.
Elena ‘If I need something I will ask’ Rybakina https://t.co/0jveuMHMhA pic.twitter.com/Z3zFLwOBqx
— Ryan (@Some1NamedRyan) August 17, 2023
The two players went toe to toe and the first set was pushed into a tiebreaker. Elena was leading 6-3, till Ostapenko clawed her way back to win the next 5 points on the trot.
Not one to back away from a fight, Rybakina raised her game in the second set. She struck 11 aces throughout the match and won seven break points out of twelve. Overall, it was very impressive from the former Wimbledon champion.
Finds the finish line 💪
Elena Rybakina outlasts Ostapenko for a place in the Round of 16.#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/vRskQb5l7Y
— wta (@WTA) August 17, 2023
Rybakina won her opening game at the Cincinnati Open. Unfortunately, there was more drama ready to unravel during the match.
More drama was unveiled during Rybakina’s clash with Ostapenko at the Cincinnati Open
Rybakina and Ostapenko locked horns for the third time this year. Their encounters have always been very charged, but never more than what fans witnessed in Cincinnati.
The French Open champion, Ostapenko, claimed the opening set by a very fine margin. But Rybakina came back from behind to win the next one.
With Rybakina leveling the scores, the match was stretched to a deciding third set. Elena drew first blood by breaking Ostapenko. But Jelena was not deterred at all. She leveled it with a break of her own, with the scores at 4-4.
After winning this breakpoint, Ostapenko let out a roar of success. It did not stop there though, as the Latvian then proceeded to stare down at Rybakina’s coach Vukov.
Ostapenko broke Elena, stared down Vukov and screamed. ICON. pic.twitter.com/c2n2ZziRcW
— Ryan (@Some1NamedRyan) August 16, 2023
Rybakina broke Ostapenko immediately. She eventually went on to win the match 6-7 (6), 6-2, 6-4. Elena’s sister Anna was also present during this match.
Anna who is the polar opposite of Elena, let out a long scream after her sister’s victory. Ostapenko and Rybakina engaged in a cold handshake at the conclusion of the match. The former Wimbledon champion will face off against Jasmine Paolini next.