In a stunning upset at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, Elena Rybakina halted Iga Swiatek bid for a historic third consecutive title. Rybakina, ranked world No.4, showcased her power on the clay court, clinching a 6-3 4-6 6-3 victory in a hard-fought semifinal that lasted nearly three hours.
The Kazakhstani player’s formidable performance included 10 aces. Moreover, the 2022 Wimbledon champion saved 11 out of the 13 break points she faced, although her opponent was almost as efficient in this department, having saved 16 of 20. This victory marked Rybakina’s fourth win in six encounters with Swiatek, denying the Polish star the opportunity to join Maria Sharapova as the only three-time champion in Stuttgart, a feat achieved from 2012 to 2014.
The world No.1 Swiatek began the match strongly on her preferred clay surface, securing an early break in the opening game and holding her serve to maintain the lead. However, Rybakina quickly turned the tide, winning five consecutive games to clinch the first set.
The second set saw both players holding serve for the first nine games. It was Swiatek who broke decisively to force a third set, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion.
In the decisive third set, Rybakina secured a crucial break to take a 3-2 lead. She maintained her composure and dominance, securing another break to seal the victory and advance to Sunday’s final.
Rybakina’s journey to the final sets up an exciting showdown with Marta Kostyuk, the 27th-ranked Ukrainian who advanced by defeating Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova 7-6(2) 6-2.
For Rybakina, this appearance in the final marks her fifth of the season, following successful title runs in Adelaide and Abu Dhabi.
