Marketa Vondrousova returns to US Open quarter-finals with gritty win over Elena Rybakina
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The Czech Republic's Marketa Vondrousova shaking hands with Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina after winning their US Open fourth-round match in New York on Aug 31.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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NEW YORK – Czech Marketa Vondrousova booked her place in the US Open quarter-finals by beating ninth seed Elena Rybakina 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in a clash of former Grand Slam winners on Aug 31.
Vondrousova, who has fallen to No. 60 in the world, returns to the last eight at Flushing Meadows for the second time following her 2023 run.
“After everything I’ve been through, it’s good to be standing here again,” she said.
“It’s a long way to go, but it’s been an amazing week so far. I’m incredibly happy to be here.”
Vondrousova edged a tight opening set under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium, punishing an erratic Rybakina who landed under 50 per cent of her first serves.
After an early trade of breaks between the former Wimbledon champions, both 26, the Czech struck again and held to close out the set and take the lead.
The second set saw a more aggressive Rybakina grab the lead with a break, only for her opponent to immediately strike back.
The Kazakh squandered a set point but made no mistake with her second opportunity, unleashing a flurry of winners to break again to level at one set apiece.
Vondrousova battled back in the decider, breaking Rybakina twice to seize the lead and holding firm on serve to close out the victory – helped by three straight aces.
She will face world No. 1 and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in the next round.
The Belarusian never looked troubled in a 6-1, 6-4 win over Moldova-born Spaniard Cristina Bucsa, who is ranked 95th.
Sabalenka has now reached the quarter-finals or better at 12 straight Grand Slam tournaments, a consistency she attributes to striking a balance in her life on and off the court.
“I’m super proud, I think that’s an incredible achievement,” the 27-year-old said.
“I think for me the key was balancing on and off-the-court life. I think I’ve done a great job on balancing really hard work and also great recovery and some fun time outside of the tennis court. I think that’s been the key.”
Another Czech, former French Open and Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova, conjured a remarkable escape to oust Taylor Townsend of the United States, saving an incredible eight match points before digging out a 1-6, 7-6 (15-13), 6-3 victory.
She fought off a match point on her own serve at 5-4 down in the second set, and then somehow survived seven match points in an enthralling tiebreak to move on.
“What a match,” said Krejcikova, who revealed she had wondered if she would ever play tennis again after missing the opening months of the season with a back injury.
“I was sidelined for six months and didn’t know if I would ever play again. I’m super happy I can be here.”
The 29-year-old will face American fourth seed Jessica Pegula in the quarter-finals.
Pegula, beaten in the final in 2024, advanced to the last eight after breezing past compatriot Ann Li 6-1, 6-2. REUTERS, AFP
