Elena Rybakina

No.17 seed Elena Rybakina came from a set down to defeat Ajla Tomljanovic at Wimbledon and become the first Kazakh to reach a Grand Slam semifinal.

A slew of unforced errors saw her fail to serve out the match, and when she reached match point on the Tomljanovic serve at 5-2, her forehand found the net. But stepping up to the line a second time, Rybakina made no mistake. In the second set, it was Rybakina's turn to be near-watertight on serve, conceding only one point behind her first delivery. Match management: Tomljanovic, contesting her second straight Wimbledon quarterfinal and also bidding to reach her first major semifinal, opened the match in formidable form. She hit back at the start of the second set, breaking Tomljanovic with an efficient dropshot-volley combination for 2-0. Prior to Wimbledon, Rybakina had not reached a quarterfinal since Indian Wells in March, and she had won only one grass-court match in two tournaments.

Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina fought back from a set down to beat Ajla Tomljanovic in the Wimbledon quarter-finals.

- Wimbledon - Wimbledon - Wimbledon - Wimbledon - Wimbledon “I am really happy I got through to the semi-final.

The Moscow-born No. 17 seed briefly entertained a stint with college tennis before deciding to turn pro, leading to her first Grand Slam semifinal.

Because of tennis, I could get a better education.” Like every parent, he was worried if I get injured. My dad wanted me to go to college because he was worried,” she told WTA Insider back in 2020.

Elena Rybakina finds herself in the semi-finals at the same tournament from which Russian and Belarusian players were banned following the invasion of ...

I am really happy she is in a semi-final -- look at her now, she is in a semi-final after having two babies. It is an amazing story." So I think it was very good combination." "I think it was very good timing because Kazakhstan were looking for players. I'm feeling confident that I feel the game the way I felt back then. Of course, I feel for them."

Russian and Belarusian players may be banned from Wimbledon but someone born and raised in Moscow is just one match away from the final.

In the end I just know that I have to play till the end because she’s a great fighter. “I know she’s a big hitter. She said: “I think that the key, of course, is my serve, aggressive game. “I was born in Russia, but of course I am representing Kazakhstan. It’s already a long journey for me. “I think it was very good timing because they [Kazakhstan] were looking for the player. So I think it was a very good combination.

The 23-year-old acquired Kazakh citizenships and switched from Russia to represent the country in 2018.

Start your Independent Premium subscription today. “I got so much help and support. The 23-year-old said: “Of course, I agree. “I’m feeling just the support of the people and very happy to represent Kazakhstan because I think I’m also bringing some results, which are very good for the sport in Kazakhstan. I’m feeling just the support of the people and very happy to represent Kazakhstan because I think I’m also bringing some results, which are very good for the sport in Kazakhstan. I was playing Olympics, Fed Cup before.