Elena Rybakina delivered a commanding performance at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, defeating Sofia Kenin 6-2, 7-6 to secure her ninth WTA 1000 semifinal since 2023.
Rybakina’s serve was particularly dominant, as she fired 17 aces and won 76% of her first-serve points, while Kenin managed no aces and won 64% of her first-serve points. The first set saw Rybakina dictating play, securing it 6-2 in just 31 minutes. In the second set, Kenin adjusted her strategy, utilizing angles and drop shots to disrupt Rybakina’s rhythm, leading to a tiebreak. However, Rybakina maintained her composure to clinch the match.
Mirra Andreeva is next
She will face world No. 14 Mirra Andreeva in the semifinals, who had defeated world No. 2 Iga Swiatek just hours earlier. Their only prior meeting was at the 2023 China Open, where Rybakina triumphed in three sets.