Elena Rybakina is famously a woman who is not prone to big public statements, the world No.4 preferring a quietly methodical approach.
That has so far delivered Rybakina with history-making heights including the Wimbledon ladies’ singles trophy in 2022 – and her comprehensive third-round victory over Caroline Wozniacki sent a powerful message that she’s preparing to add more silverware at SW19.
Rybakina’s 6-0, 6-1 win over the former world No.1 was achieved in just 57 minutes, the 25-year-old a study in power and efficiency as she tallied winner over winner on No.1 Court.
“I played really well today and really happy with the performance,” Rybakina said. “Caroline, she's a tough player, (an) experienced player, and I'm really happy that I managed to focus from the beginning to the end.”
Wozniacki has returned to The Championships for the first time in five seasons, having retired in 2020 but having made a comeback to the Tour late last year.
There were impressive markers in her 14th main-draw appearance, the 33-year-old limiting Alycia Parks to just two games in her opening match and saving two match points against No.30 seed Leylah Fernandez in the second round.
Yet Wozniacki’s vast experience counted for little when she faced an awe-inspiring Rybakina, who simply wouldn’t allow any openings in the match.
Stranded mid-court at one stage, a frustrated Wozniacki threw up her arms and turned to her team. But there were few answers as the first set ran way in 21 minutes, Rybakina recording 16 winners compared with one from the Dane.
The match had started beneath an open roof but as clouds once again gathered, the decision to close it resulted in a short break.
Any sense that the changed conditions might help Wozniacki gain some momentum were soon obliterated; there was a smile, a cheer and even a standing ovation from her support group as she at last made it on to the scoreboard by winning the second game, but it proved the lone bright point of her match.
Rybakina finished with 36 winners, while Wozniacki managed only four. There were also nine aces to add to the season-high 267 aces she brought into the tournament, providing one more weapon as Rybakina continues her progress at her most successful Grand Slam tournament.
Rybakina now turns her attention to a fourth-round meeting with No.17 seed Anna Kalinskaya.
It is the fourth time in four Wimbledon appearances that Rybakina – the lone former champion still in action – has progressed to the second week and she is understandably aiming to maintain the form she struck against the Dane.
“Well, of course, it feels amazing,” she said. “Today it was perfect conditions for my type of game, so I'm really pleased and I really hope that the next one, I'm going to play the same way.”
It was a quiet statement of intent but, much like her tennis, potently delivered. And it left no doubt that the powerful Rybakina is warming up to bigger things.
