Elena Rybakina advances to quarter-finals
“It’s not easy, these kind of injuries. It was a tough match anyway. I’m glad I’m through to the next one,” said Elena Rybakina after her victory over Sonay Kartal at the Indian Wells Open.
Rybakina advanced to the quarter-finals following Kartal’s retirement while trailing 6-4, 4-3. The reigning 2026 Australian Open champion demonstrated her dominance throughout the match, surging to a double-break lead in the opening set.
Prior to facing Kartal, Rybakina secured her place in the final eight by defeating Hailey Baptiste and Marta Kostyuk. Her match against Baptiste ended with a score of 7-6, 2-6, 6-2, while she triumphed over Kostyuk with a score of 6-4, 6-4.
The Indian Wells Open features a total prize pool of $9,415,725, with the champion set to earn $1,511,380 and 1,000 WTA ranking points. Rybakina, currently ranked third in the WTA rankings, is aiming to add another title to her collection.
Rybakina’s next challenge will be against Jessica Pegula, a rematch of their Australian Open semifinal. This upcoming match is highly anticipated, given the competitive nature of both players.
In her match against Kartal, Rybakina controlled most of the play, despite Kartal taking multiple medical timeouts. The retirement of Kartal marked Rybakina’s entry into the final eight of the tournament.
As Rybakina prepares for her next match, she remains focused on improving her performance and maintaining her confidence on the court. The stakes are high as she aims to continue her successful run at Indian Wells.
With the tournament progressing, fans are eager to see how Rybakina will fare against Pegula and if she can advance further in the competition.
