Sabalenka’s Victory over Emma; Rybakina Defeats Svitolina to Reach Roland Garros 2024 Quaterfinals
Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina’s dominant performances at the 2024 Roland Garros, secured spots in the quarterfinals with decisive straight-set victories.
On Court Philippe-Chatrier, Rybakina easily defeated former world No. 3 Elina Svitolina, while Sabalenka advanced over Emma Navarro to her seventh consecutive major quarterfinal.
Both Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina won their fourth-round matches in straight sets on Monday, continuing their collision course for the 2024 Roland Garros semifinals.
Sabalenka’s Impressive Streak Continues
Sabalenka, the No. 2 seed and reigning Australian Open champion, powered through her fourth-round match, defeating No. 22 seed Emma Navarro 6-2, 6-3. This victory marks Sabalenka’s seventh consecutive major quarterfinal, underscoring her remarkable consistency in Grand Slam tournaments.
“It sounds crazy to me, to be honest, and I’m super happy that I was able to bring this consistency to the Grand Slams,” Sabalenka shared. “That’s really amazing. I just, yeah, it’s motivating me a lot to keep pushing myself and to see where the limit is.”
Rybakina’s Smooth Victory Over Svitolina
No. 4 seed Elena Rybakina also advanced in spectacular fashion, overcoming No. 15 seed Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-3. Rybakina’s efficient play has been a hallmark of her Roland Garros journey, losing only 12 games in her first three matches.
“We definitely improved my movement on the court, and I’m really happy with how I feel now on these courts,” Rybakina told Tennis Channel’s Jon Wertheim. “I’m looking forward to the next one.”
Quarterfinal Clashes Ahead
Sabalenka and Rybakina both advanced in exactly one hour and nine minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Sabalenka’s next challenge will come from the winner of the fourth-round match between Varvara Gracheva and Mirra Andreeva, while Rybakina is set to face Italian rival Jasmine Paolini. Paolini, the No. 12 seed, overcame Elina Avanesyan 4-6, 6-0, 6-1, marking the biggest major result of her career.
Key Moments in the Matches
In her match, Rybakina demonstrated her superior court movement and tactical acumen. After an early exchange of breaks, Rybakina secured a lead and never looked back, clinching the match on her second match point.
“It’s all about the focus now,” Rybakina emphasized. “The matches are getting tougher, and so are the opponents. Consistency is key, and minimizing unforced errors will be crucial for the next match.”
Sabalenka, playing outdoors for the first time in the tournament, sought revenge against Navarro, who had previously defeated her at the BNP Paribas Open. Sabalenka’s powerful game was on full display, as she hit 36 winners against just 12 unforced errors, dominating the match from start to finish.
Path to the Quarterfinals
Both players have shown remarkable form throughout the clay-court season. Sabalenka reached the finals of the Mutua Madrid Open and the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, while Rybakina has demonstrated her prowess with steady and strategic play.
As the tournament progresses, the tennis world eagerly anticipates the potential clash between these two formidable players in the semifinals. Their quarterfinal matches promise to be thrilling encounters, setting the stage for more high-stakes drama at Roland Garros 2024.
Also Read: Alex de Minaur’s Exceptional Victory over Daniil Medvedev in Roland Garros 2024
Casper Ruud Sets Up Exciting Roland Garros Rematch with Novak Djokovic
Seventh seed Casper Ruud secured a spot in the Roland Garros quarterfinals for the third consecutive year, where he will face world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in a highly anticipated rematch of last year’s final. Ruud triumphed over 12th-seeded Taylor Fritz on Monday evening, winning 7-6 (6), 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, and saving a set point in the opening tie-break.
Ruud showcased resilience and skill in his match against Fritz, managing to turn the tide in his favor after a challenging start. “If I had lost that and the second, it would look really bad,” Ruud reflected. “But after the second set, it was still 1-all. He broke me early, and then I just told myself, time to step up, do my best to get into the zone and stay there.”
Ruud’s Impressive Season and Head-to-Head with Djokovic
Currently boasting a 39-9 record for the season, Ruud enters Wednesday’s clash with confidence, having defeated Djokovic in their most recent encounter during April’s Monte Carlo semifinals. However, he remains cautious and prepared for a tough battle. “I don’t expect him to surrender at all,” Ruud stated. “I have to expect him to be fresh and ready. It’s going to be a tough match.”
Reflecting on Past Encounters and Current Form
Ruud recalls last year’s final where he managed an early break in the first set but ultimately lost in a tight tie-break. “I’m going to try to learn from that,” he said. With 16 wins out of his last 18 matches at Roland Garros, Ruud’s form on clay has been impressive. Despite dropping four sets on his way to the quarterfinals, he remains confident in his ability to persevere in best-of-five sets.
Djokovic’s Path to the Quarterfinals
Djokovic has also had a challenging journey to the quarterfinals, battling through matches that tested his physical limits. Despite right knee issues, the 24-time major winner displayed remarkable tenacity, coming from two sets to one down to defeat Francisco Cerundolo.
Ruud’s Tough Road and Mentality
Reflecting on his path, Ruud acknowledged the difficulty of his draw. “I think, honestly, I ended up in a pretty tough section of the draw and a lot of good players on the way here that I have been able to overcome,” Ruud said. “Sometimes you just have to think, okay, I won’t play perfect but I’m going to be a tough player to beat in best-of-five sets on clay. That’s the kind of mentality that has been working for me.”
