Rybakina Still Finding Best in Toronto Ahead of… National Bank Open

It’s a scary sight for the rest of the Toronto field when the world No. 2 says she still hasn’t found her best game.

Elena Rybakina reached the National Bank Open presented by Rogers quarter-finals following her win over Liudmila Samsonova on Sunday, erasing a 0-3 deficit in the third set to secure the victory. The Kazakhstani is now the only player to reach at least the quarters in every North American WTA 1000 event this season so far.

However, Rybakina’s run in Toronto hasn’t been the easiest. The two-time major champion has spent nearly seven hours on court through her three matches. To put it into perspective, she spent eight-and-a-half hours to reach the Indian Wells final last March.

Rybakina still managed to successfully grind her way to a second straight NBO quarter-final, with the second seed continuously finding enhancements in her game through each match.

“We worked hard last couple of weeks coming here to this U.S. swing. So, for me it's important to just see the improvement. I think this tournament, some things are working, but still it's not my best,” Rybakina said in a press conference on Aug. 9 in Toronto. “I think for me the most important thing is to find the key moments and play more aggressively. Just to take the opportunities straight away and not to give too many chances because then I start chasing and, of course, it's more difficult mentally.”

The Kazakhstani’s quarter-final opponent may be her toughest test of the tournament so far, meeting Naomi Osaka for the first time. Rybakina said the two have practiced together but never played in a match, so she states that, “with [Osaka], I will just try to analyze her matches and mostly focus on myself.”

Osaka hasn’t dropped a set in Toronto so far, conceding just 16 games across her three matches. Now, the Japanese is looking forward to her first encounter with Rybakina, nearly meeting in the Montreal final last year but the Kazakhstani was ousted in the semis after holding a match point.

“[Rybakina’s] an amazing player. I've practiced with her twice, in Australia this year, and also Roland-Garros. They have been really good practices, so I'm kind of excited for a match,” Osaka said in a press conference on Aug. 9. “She has a great serve, she's aggressive, and it's also very fun to play against the best players.”

Osaka and Rybakina’s first clash will take place Tuesday night on Centre Court.

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 : Barry McCluskey/Wick Photography for National Bank Open