Elena Rybakina made an impactful debut at the United Cup, leading Kazakhstan to a 2-1 victory over Spain in the season-opening tournament in Perth, Australia.
Kazakhstan vs Spain: Match Highlights
The match began with Spain taking the lead as Pablo Carreno Busta defeated Alexander Shevchenko in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1. However, Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, leveled the score with a commanding 6-2, 6-3 win over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
In the decisive mixed doubles match, Rybakina teamed up with Shevchenko to edge out Carreno Busta and Yvonne Cavalle-Reimers in a thrilling contest, winning 7-6 (7-4), 6-7 (2-7), 10-7.
Quarter-Final Hopes and Upcoming Matches
Kazakhstan can secure a spot in the quarter-finals of the 18-nation mixed teams event with a win against Greece in their second Group C match on Monday.
Rybakina, who recently began working with former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic as her coach, expressed her satisfaction with her performance:
“The first match is always difficult. It’s not easy to adapt quickly, but I’m happy with the way I played today.”
Tournament Overview
The United Cup, now in its third edition, runs until 5 January 2025, with matches hosted in Perth and Sydney.
In Group B action, Great Britain will kick off their campaign against Argentina on Monday, followed by a matchup with Australia on Wednesday. A notable highlight of the Australia clash will see British women’s number one Katie Boulter face her fiancé, Alex de Minaur, just days after their engagement announcement.
Looking Ahead to the Australian Open
The Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the 2025 season, is set to begin on 12 January. Players, including Rybakina, will use the United Cup as critical preparation for the year’s opening major tournament.
“Stay updated on Kazakhstan’s United Cup journey—can Rybakina lead them to the quarter-finals?”
“What are your thoughts on Rybakina’s performance? Share your comments below!”
