Elena Rybakina is into the Italian Open quarter-finals, having beaten Alexandra Eala in straight sets yesterday.
However, it was far from a routine win for the world number two, who was forced to work for her victory against the plucky Filipina.
Heading into the match, few were giving the 20-year-old a chance, pitting her struggling serve against the serving mastery of Elena Rybakina.
And yet, she stood firm throughout, and was only broken three times, whilst also breaking the eventual victor herself.
Speaking afterwards, Rybakina reviewed the clash, which was her first-ever match against Alexandra Eala.
Elena Rybakina reacts after her first-ever match against Alexandra Eala
Given the support she commands, every player will remember exactly what it is like to face the Philippines’ greatest tennis export.
After all, she is a relentless and hard-working player who will happily grind for every single point, and in doing so delight her adoring fans.
Has that Alex Eala performance made you more or less confident of her chances at Roland Garros? 🤔
Asked if she was happy with the win, Rybakina unsurprisingly was pleased to have come through relatively unscathed.
She admitted: “It’s nice to win in straight sets and it’s better than the previous tournament and today was tough conditions. It was raining before, so it was very slow and the balls were heavy, but I’m happy that I managed to win.
“We played with Alex for the first time against each other and it’s always challenging to play against a lefty, but overall I’m happy with everything I did on the court.”
Eala also had her performance against Rybakina rated by a former WTA player.
Alex Eala’s Italian Open campaign is not over yet
Whilst her solid singles run was halted by Rybakina, Eala’s time in Rome is not over yet.
After all, it has now been revealed that she plans to play the doubles, joining forces with the highly in-form Hailey Baptiste.
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This was not a partnership that was expected to gain entry into the event, but given they were top of the draw’s alternate list, the last-minute withdrawal of Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Leylah Fernandez has afforded them a spot.
Both Eala and Baptiste are already out of the Italian Open, and will therefore likely be thankful for this opportunity to get some additional competitive minutes on the clay ahead of Roland Garros.
Baptiste recently beat Aryna Sabalenka on her way to the Madrid Open semi-finals.
