Elena Rybakina Comebacks Lead Her Back into… National Bank Open

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Just when you think Elena Rybakina is down and out, she powers herself into a second straight National Bank Open presented by Rogers semifinal.

The world No. 2 took the first-ever meeting against Naomi Osaka in the Toronto quarters on Tuesday, but she was nearly on the verge of an exit prior to the last eight. With the 27-year-old down 0-3 to Liudmila Samsonova in the third set of their fourth-round match, she managed to break in back-to-back return games before forcing another break of serve to close out the contest.

Rybakina’s first clash with Osaka also called for a comeback. The Kazakhstani was broken in the opening game and was unable to respond as she dropped the first set. The two-time Grand Slam champion was then down a break in the second, trailing 2-4, but remained composed as things started to click.

“It was a very difficult match. I honestly don't know how I managed to turn it around in the second set, being 4-2 down. I was just trying to stay positive, try to stay close to the score,” Rybakina said in her post-match press conference on Aug. 11 in Toronto. “It was important for me to serve well, which I didn't to start the match. Then it got better, so I'm glad that in the end it went my way.”

The second seed’s most impressive service display was in the decisive set, where she fired eight of her 15 aces and won 83 per cent of her first-serve points.

Rybakina stays composed no matter the occasion – as proven by her after winning Wimbledon in 2022 – and being down a break or two in the crucial moments of the match is nothing different. The 27-year-old just focuses on remaining within reach and trust that her chance will come.

“I was just trying to tell myself, start the point, just try to return, and if [Osaka] hits a good serve, good job for her,” Rybakina said. “The mindset was trying to stay closer to the score, and then whatever happens, happens, and try to play aggressive when I have an opportunity.”

The world No. 2’s next opponent is a quite unfamiliar one again – Coco Gauff. The two met just once in their careers, which happened to be in Toronto 2022. Now, a little over four years later, Rybakina and Gauff get reacquainted in the Ontario capital, and the game plan, of course stays the same for the Kazakhstani.

“[Gauff’s] a great fighter. I know it's going to be a very difficult match,” Rybakina said. “For me it's important to try to recover. If her serve gets going, it's also not easy to return. So, I feel like the most important thing again is to focus on my serve, try to be focused, get opportunities whenever I have them, and be with a lot of energy from the very beginning.”

Rybakina’s comeback was left incomplete the only time she played Gauff. The two-time WTA 1000 titlist saved four match points in the second set to force a decider, but ultimately lost in a tiebreaker.

The WTA's best return to Toronto for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers Aug 1 to 13 at Sobeys Stadium. Get your tickets today!

Feature Photo : Morgan Givens/Wick Photography for National Bank Open