Jelena Rybakina defeated Daria Kasatkina 6:3, 5:7, 6:4 in the second round of the Canadian Open in Montreal. The 27-year-old Kazakh player, ranked second in the WTA rankings, needed two hours and 35 minutes to overcome her opponent. Kasatkina, ranked 61st, was born in Russia and represents Australia.
Rybakina started her season strong by winning the Australian Open and the Stuttgart tournament, while also reaching the final in Indian Wells. However, she has not reached a semifinal in six tournaments since April, including Roland Garros and Wimbledon. She has never reached the final at the Canadian Open.
Rybakina took control early in the first set, breaking Kasatkina in the second game to build a 3:0 lead. She missed three break points for a double break, but held serve and hit a second-serve ace when facing a break point. Rybakina closed out the 45-minute opening set with a backhand winner, recording 20 winners to five despite making 17 unforced errors to Kasatkina's five.
Kasatkina forces third set
Kasatkina double-faulted in the first game of the second set, allowing Rybakina to break with a forehand crosscourt return. Kasatkina broke back immediately after a forehand error from Rybakina hit the net, before building a 4:2 lead. A fan in the stands shouted for Rybakina to concentrate, and she recovered to 3:4 after hitting three return winners in the seventh game.
Rybakina struggled with consistency and lost the set 5:7 when she committed a double fault on set point. She registered 23 unforced errors in the second set compared to seven by Kasatkina.
Rybakina quickly broke in the third set to lead 2:1. She then held through four consecutive service games that went to deuce, saving five break points without conceding serve. Rybakina moved into the third round to face 31st-ranked American Anna Li, who defeated Canadian Kayla Cross, ranked 177th.
