ROME: Sixth in the world After overcoming Marketa Vondrousova 6-3, 6-3, Elena Rybakina moved through to the quarterfinals of the Italian Open for the first time. The current Wimbledon champion will take on either No. 24 Donna Vekic or two-time defending winner Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Rain forced the postponement of the Monday night match on Court Centrale between Swiatek and Vekic. Paula Badosa and Karolina Muchova's Round of 16 matchup was also postponed. Tuesday is the scheduled day for both games.
The third match on Centrale will feature Swiatek and Vekic and won't start before 1:30 p.m. (Local time). Not earlier than 3:00 p.m., Badosa and Muchova will compete in their fourth encounter on Court Pietrangeli.
Unexpectedly, Rybakina's sluggish start to the clay-court season has found some relief in Rome. Due to a back ailment, the Indian Wells champion had to withdraw from Stuttgart, and Anna Kalinskaya eliminated her in the third round of Madrid.
Coming here, I didn't expect much because, regrettably, Rome is the worst place for my allergies, Rybakina remarked, alluding to the tournament's high pollen count.
She continued, "I'm pleased that I'm able to win and obtain these matches.
When Rybakina faced Vondrousova for the second time in her career, she outclassed the cunning Czech to tie the match at one. In contrast to Vondrousova's 13, Rybakina hit 28 winners and broke Vondrousova five times.
The winner between No. 1 Swiatek and Vekic is currently expected by Rybakina. Rybakina has won all four sets she has played; a match versus Swiatek would be their third this season. At the Australian Open and Indian Wells, the victories occurred on hard courts.
The 23-year-old Rybakina conceded that playing on Swiatek's preferred clay surface could alter the outcome of their match.
"I believe it significantly alters. She has more time, I have more time, and there are more rallies and physical activity. It will undoubtedly be difficult. It's definitely very different from the hard courts, in my opinion," Rybakina remarked.
"I don't have high hopes. If Donna loses or Iga wins, it's practise for me. I interpret it this way. It might improve my performance at the French Open, she added.
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