2023-05-20 00:33:01
Elena Rybakina won in straight sets against Jelena Ostapenko in the semi-final of the Masters 1000 in Rome.
Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina (world No. 6) joined Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina in the Rome WTA 1000 final by dominating Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko (20th), 6-2, 6-4 during a half interrupted in the second set by the rain.
Rybakina, finalist of the Australian Open in January, will play on Saturday (from 7:00 p.m. local, 5:00 p.m. GMT) his third final in the WTA 1000 (category below the Grand Slams) of the year, after Indian Wells (victory against Sabalenka) and Miami (loss against Kvitova).
Qualified for the semi-finals by taking advantage of the abandonment in the quarter, through injury, of the double defending champion and ultra-favorite Iga Switek, Rybakina was the most skilful to pass between the drops.
After an easily pocketed first set, the winner of the last Wimbledon got off to a bad start in the second, trailing 3-0 then 4-1. But the arrival of the rain was beneficial for her, further disturbing her opponent, hampered by slippery lines.
The match was first interrupted for ten minutes, at 4-2, the time for the players to briefly go through the locker room. He briefly regained time by four points, allowing Rybakina to afford two break points at 40/15. But Ostapenko then refused to continue, not at ease, and the two players returned for good only to return 45 minutes later.
This break finished cutting the legs of the Latvian who lost her service then the next three games to bow in 1h35.
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