Elena Rybakina is back—and with a vengeance. The Kazakh powerhouse battled past Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia in a nail-biting semifinal in Strasbourg, winning 7-6, 1-6, 6-2 to reach her first WTA final in over a year.
It’s been 13 long months since Rybakina contested a final. For a player of her caliber, that drought has felt like an eternity. But on Friday, she reminded the world exactly why she’s one of the most dangerous names in women’s tennis. The match was a true tug of war—three sets filled with momentum shifts, physical rallies, and mental endurance. And when it mattered most, Elena found her match toughness.
After a tight first-set tiebreak that went her way, Rybakina was steamrolled in the second, managing only one game. Haddad Maia’s relentless baseline aggression looked like it might be the turning point. But in the decider, despite falling behind 0-2, Rybakina stormed back with six straight games to take the match in commanding style.
It wasn’t just a win—it was a statement.
This will be Rybakina’s 20th career final and her second in Strasbourg, a place where she seems to thrive. The last time she made it to a final was in Stuttgart last season. Injuries, illness, and inconsistency have plagued her since then, but today, she showed the grit and clarity that once carried her to a Wimbledon title.
What’s more impressive is the timing. With Roland-Garros around the corner, Rybakina’s rediscovered toughness and confidence on clay couldn’t be better placed. She moved with purpose, dictated with her forehand, and served with poise—even under pressure.
For Rybakina, this victory is more than just a milestone—it’s a turning point.
She didn’t just beat an opponent today; she beat the doubt, the rust, the pressure. The match looked lost at 0-2 in the final set, but her response—rattling off six consecutive games—was the kind of fire fans had been craving from her. Strasbourg has a history of producing drama, and Rybakina delivered just that.
Now into her 20th WTA final, and with momentum squarely on her side, Elena will look to lift her first title in over a year. Whether she succeeds or not, this performance alone proves that Rybakina is once again a threat—on clay, on tour, and in Paris next week.