In a thrilling showdown at the 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal, ninth-seeded Elena Rybakina showcased her champion’s resolve, outlasting Ukraine’s No. 30 seed Dayana Yastremska in a gripping 5-7, 6-2, 7-5 victory to secure her place in the quarterfinals. The two-and-a-half-hour battle on August 2, 2025, at IGA Stadium’s Centre Court highlighted Rybakina’s resilience despite serving struggles, as she overcame nine double faults to defeat a tenacious Yastremska, who was riding high after upsetting eighth seed Emma Navarro. The win sets up a quarterfinal clash with fellow Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, as Rybakina inches closer to a top-10 ranking return.
The match began with both players trading holds, but Rybakina struck first, earning a break point in the third game that Yastremska fended off. The Kazakh, known for her booming serve, faltered early, with serving inconsistencies allowing Yastremska to break back at 3-3 after Rybakina led 40-0 in a crucial game. The Ukrainian, brimming with confidence from her 7-5, 6-4 win over Navarro, seized the first set 7-5 after capitalizing on Rybakina’s errors, saving two set points at 5-4 to close the set in 47 minutes. “I was up by a break and led 4-3 before collapsing,” Rybakina admitted post-match, reflecting on her shaky start. “It was another tight contest and a hard day at the office.”
Rybakina regrouped in the second set, harnessing her aggressive baseline game and powerful serve, which landed 63% of first serves and won 76% of those points. She broke Yastremska twice, surrendering just five service points to storm through 6-2, leveling the match in dominant fashion. “After dropping the first set in a painful way, I knew I had to be more convincing,” Rybakina said, highlighting her mental reset. The third set was a rollercoaster, with Rybakina breaking for a 3-2 lead, only for Yastremska to respond immediately, showcasing her improved serve and fighting spirit with 10 double faults but 34 winners across the match. At 5-5, Yastremska’s nerve wavered, squandering a 30-0 lead to hand Rybakina a break opportunity, which the Kazakh converted with poise. Facing three squandered match points and a break point against her in the final game, Rybakina sealed the victory with a high backhand volley on her fourth match point. “It’s a really important win. It was such a tough battle against Dayana,” she said. “She played really well. Really happy that I won the match and just looking forward to the next one.”
Rybakina’s 33-14 record in 2025, bolstered by her Strasbourg title in May—her first in over a year—signals a resurgence after a challenging first half, marred by a US Open second-round exit and injuries. Her 18-3 record against players outside the Top 50 this year held firm, though Yastremska’s recent victories over Coco Gauff at Wimbledon and Diana Shnaider at Roland Garros made her a formidable foe. The Kazakh’s 276 aces, leading the WTA in 2025, and her 6-3, 6-4 win over Yastremska at the Australian Open earlier this year gave her an edge, despite 19 unforced errors to Yastremska’s 25.
Yastremska, with a 30-16 record and a career-best WTA 1000 fourth-round run since 2019, leaves Montreal with confidence, her aggressive baseline game pushing Rybakina to the brink. As Rybakina prepares to face Kostyuk, who battled past McCartney Kessler 5-7, 6-3, 6-3, her Montreal campaign—her second quarterfinal here after a 2023 semifinal—positions her one spot from the top 10 at No. 11. With the US Open looming, Rybakina’s ability to overcome serving woes and a resilient opponent underscores her readiness for the hard-court swing, where her powerful game could propel her to another deep run.
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