Rybakina Dominates Stuttgart Open with Third Title of 2023
On a sun-drenched afternoon in Stuttgart, the world’s fourth-ranked tennis player, Elena Rybakina, claimed her third title of the year in dominant fashion. The 24-year-old Kazakhstani sensation breezed past Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, securing a convincing 6-2, 6-2 victory to clinch the coveted Stuttgart Open crown.
Rybakina, the reigning Wimbledon champion, wasted no time asserting her authority, breaking Kostyuk’s serve to love in the opening game. From there, the first set was a one-sided affair, with Rybakina’s powerful groundstrokes and pinpoint accuracy proving too much for her opponent.
“Rybakina’s relentless play ensured there was no way back for the Ukrainian.”
The second set followed a similar pattern, as Rybakina broke early and never looked back, denying Kostyuk any real opportunity to mount a comeback. Despite a brief moment of resistance from Kostyuk, who forced three break points when trailing 3-2, Rybakina’s relentless play ensured there was no way back for the Ukrainian.
This victory marks Rybakina’s third title of the 2023 season, following triumphs in Brisbane and Abu Dhabi earlier this year. Her impressive run to the final included a statement win over world number one and two-time defending champion, Iga Swiatek, on Saturday.
Sloane Stephens Wins WTA Open de Rouen
Elsewhere, American Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion, added another title to her impressive resume, emerging victorious at the WTA Open de Rouen in France. Stephens defeated unseeded Pole Magda Linette 6-1, 2-6, 6-2 to claim her eighth career singles title, and her first since February 2022.
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