Elena Rybakina Cruises to Seventh Career Title in Abu Dhabi

There’s no place like residence.

Until you’re Elena Rybakina.

Today, the top-seeded Rybakina continues throwing down successful welcome mats with imposing ease wherever she goes.

A commanding Rybakina broke six instances sweeping Daria Kasatkina 6-1, 6-4 within the Abu Dhabi remaining for her seventh profession title, together with second championship of 2024.

Rybakina out served and out slugged the intelligent Kasatkina.

One of many sport’s premier servers, Rybakina served 76 % and cracked 17 winners towards solely 12 errors.

Confronted with the Kazakh’s jolting energy, Kasatkina dedicated 27 unforced errors and was repeatedly rushed attempting to defend her second serve. Rybakina received 12 of 14 factors performed on the Russian’s second serve.

It’s Rybakina’s third consecutive finals win—following her Brisbane blow-out victory over Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka—as she improved her profession finals document to 7-9.

Persevering with her finest season begin, Rybakina raised her 2024 document to 11-2.

“First I wish to thank Daria after all with a terrific week,” Rybakina stated. “Powerful week particularly final matches and tomorrow is already a match in Doha. So hopefully we each get better and do properly there and possibly play remaining there.

“I wish to say because of all of the followers who got here to help us this week. It’s been a tremendous environment and particularly to see the flags from Kazakhstan it actually means lots. Thanks a lot guys.”

It was Kasatkina’s fourth straight remaining defeat, however nonetheless a profitable week. Kasatkina, who out-dueled Beatriz Haddad Maia in 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 in yesterday’s three-hour marathon semifinal win, rises to No. 13 within the stay rankings.

“Congratulations to Elena, you had a terrific week,” Kasatkina stated. “Congrats to you and your workforce. I hope to play many extra finals towards one another—let’s see the end result within the subsequent ones—however good job, good job.” The ultimate provided the distinction of the ability participant in Rybakina towards the fast counter puncher Kasatkina, however the 2022 Wimbledon winner was touchdown large blows.

The highest seed got here out hitting deep drives from the beginning. Kasatkina squandered a 40-love lead in her opening service sport as Rybakina roared again to interrupt for a 2-0 lead.

Ultimate jitters and breezy situations conspired to constrict each girls on serve. Rybakina double-faulted again the break within the third sport. Kasatkina couldn’t settle for that reward and floated her fourth double fault as Rybakina broke proper again for 3-1.

Sliding a serve winner down the center, Rybakina stretched her result in 4-1.

The second serve is essentially the most suspect shot in Kasatkina’s in any other case spectacular all-court arsenal. By means of her first three service video games, Kasatkina didn’t win a second serve level and clanked 5 double faults as Rybakina scored her third break at love for 5-1.

The 2022 Wimbledon champion cruised by way of the opening set in simply 25 minutes.

An overwhelming Rybakina served 86 % within the opening set. Kasatkina betrayed her personal trigger by committing 16 unforced errors—greater than doubling the highest seed in errors.