Defending Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina overcame a first-set setback to post a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Shelby Rogers on Tuesday in their opening-round match at Wimbledon in London.
After bowing out of the French Open last month due to illness, the third-seeded Rybakina stumbled out of the blocks by being broken in the first game.
The 24-year-old, who represents Kazakhstan, bounced back following the first set and won 12 of the next 15 games to win the match in one hour and 43 minutes. She finished with 12 aces to avenge a 6-2, 6-4 setback to Rogers in their last encounter — a second-round clash of the ‘s-Hertogenbosch 2022 tournament on grass.
Rybakina dismissed the notion that competing in last year’s final helped her emerge victorious on Tuesday.
“Actually, it didn’t help me much because I was just as nervous today,” Rybakina said.
“But amazing atmosphere, it’s the first time I’ve played under the roof and the grass is on the baseline. It’s just amazing. Really happy to go through to the next round and just enjoying the moment here.”
Rybakina advanced to face either Japanese lucky loser Nao Hibino or Alize Cornet of France in the second round.
–Field Level Media