Just In: Elena Rybakina Admits It’s ‘Hard to Find Words’ After Stunning Toronto Comeback as Tennis Star Battles Through an Epic Fightback That Leaves Fans Speechless
The reigning Australian Open champion edged out Samsonova 6-4 4-6 6-4 in a turbulent match.
In the first set, Rybakina went down a break three times, but immediately broke back on each occasion before stealing the opener after the Russian failed to convert three consecutive game points at 4-5.
After the second-ranked Kazakh missed two break points early in the second set, Samsonova came up big when it mattered most and earned the lone break to force a decider.
Samsonova then made a perfect start to the third set, claiming back-to-back breaks to open a 3-0 lead. However, Rybakina refused to go away, stunningly winning the next four games before breaking Samsonova again in the 10th game to complete a big comeback.
Rybakina closes the gap in her head-to-head against Samsonova
This was the seventh meeting between Rybakina and Samsonova. Although the Kazakh managed to come out on top this time, Samsonova still leads their head-to-head 4-3.
Afterward, an exhausted the two-time Grand Slam champion acknowledged just how difficult the battle had been and highlighted the importance of staying aggressive against Samsonova.
“I knew it would be a very tough match. It’s always a battle against Liudmila. It’s really tough to find words now… I’m so tired, but I’m super happy. I was just trying to focus a point at a time. Just try to fight. I know she’s also an aggressive player. If I don’t step in, she might be the first one. I’m super happy to be in the next round,” the world No. 2 said in her on-court interview after surviving the Samsonova challenge.
Rybakina posts her best result since Rome
By reaching the Toronto quarterfinal, Rybakina has posted her best tournament result since making the last eight at the Rome Open in May.
It is also the first time since Rome that the 27-year-old has managed to win three consecutive matches at a tournament.
Next up, Rybakina awaits the winner of the round-of-16 match between No. 11 seed Naomi Osaka and No. 30 seed Leylah Fernandez.
