Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, is making waves at the 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal, reaching the quarterfinals with a gritty performance despite grappling with minor physical setbacks. The world No. 12 and No. 9 seed from Kazakhstan outlasted Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska in a thrilling 5-7, 6-2, 7-5 battle that spanned two hours and 33 minutes, showcasing her resilience and determination. As she prepares to face Marta Kostyuk in the quarterfinals, Rybakina remains cautiously optimistic about her health, acknowledging the toll of a demanding summer schedule. “Well, of course, a little bit getting tired of my issues, but we’re managing,” she said, reflecting on the physical challenges she’s faced during the North American hard-court swing. Her Montreal run signals a potential resurgence as she aims to reclaim her place among the WTA’s elite.
Rybakina’s journey to the Montreal quarterfinals has been a testament to her ability to perform under pressure. The 26-year-old, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 3 in 2023, has endured a challenging 2025 season marked by injuries and coaching changes. A back injury forced her to miss the Asian swing last year, and acute bronchitis sidelined her from the 2024 Paris Olympics. At the US Open, she withdrew after the first round due to unspecified injuries, and her WTA Finals campaign ended without a semifinal berth despite a victory over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. Yet, Rybakina’s recent performances suggest she’s rediscovering her form. Before Montreal, she reached the semifinals in Washington, falling to Leylah Fernandez in a three-set epic that featured 17 aces but also seven double faults. “I have to see how I feel and evaluate the small injuries which I have now,” she noted, highlighting her focus on managing her physical condition.
In Montreal, Rybakina’s campaign began with a dominant 6-0, 7-6(5) victory over Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian, where she breezed through the first set in just 25 minutes. Her round-of-16 clash with Yastremska was far more grueling, testing her endurance and mental fortitude. Trailing after a tightly contested first set, Rybakina rallied with powerful groundstrokes and her trademark big serve, leveling the match and ultimately prevailing in a tense third set. The win marked her second victory over Yastremska this year, having previously defeated her 6-3, 6-4 at the Australian Open. “I knew today it would be hard, and she’s playing high-level tennis,” Rybakina said of Yastremska, who upset No. 8 seed Emma Navarro to reach the round of 16. With an 18-3 record against players outside the top 50 this season, Rybakina’s consistency against lower-ranked opponents remains a strength.
Looking ahead to her quarterfinal against Kostyuk, Rybakina anticipates another challenging encounter. The two have met three times, with Rybakina holding a 2-1 edge, including straight-set wins at the 2023 US Open and 2024 Stuttgart Open. “We played a couple of times. So different surface, but it’s always tough battle,” she said. “I will try to focus on myself. I know that she’s really fighter, and she’s really physically tough opponent.” Kostyuk, ranked No. 28, previously defeated Rybakina in Adelaide in 2023, and her aggressive style promises a “noisy” match, as Rybakina described it. Rybakina’s experience in Montreal, where she reached the semifinals in 2023 before a scheduling debacle left her “destroyed” after a 2:54 a.m. finish against Daria Kasatkina, fuels her determination to go deeper this year.
Rybakina’s 2025 season has been a mix of triumphs and setbacks. She kicked off the year at the United Cup, securing wins but falling short in the final. At the Australian Open, she reached the fourth round before losing to eventual champion Madison Keys. Her title in Strasbourg, where she defeated Liudmila Samsonova 6-1, 6-7(2), 6-1, marked her first trophy in over a year and a confidence boost heading into the French Open. Off the court, Rybakina’s coaching situation has been turbulent. After parting ways with Goran Ivanišević post-Australian Open, she rehired Stefano Vukov, only for him to face a 12-month WTA suspension for code of conduct violations. Currently without a permanent coach, Rybakina relies on her fitness team to manage her “niggles” and maintain her competitive edge.
As the National Bank Open progresses, Rybakina’s focus remains on recovery and preparation for the US Open, starting August 25. Her grass-court success, including a quarterfinal run at Wimbledon 2023, and her affinity for Wimbledon’s tradition—“I won the tournament and it’s a really nice side of tennis,” she said—suggest she thrives in high-stakes environments. With nine career titles, including WTA 1000 crowns in Indian Wells and Rome, Rybakina is poised to add to her tally if she can stay healthy. “I’m slowly getting more and more confident in my game,” she said, eyeing a return to the top 10. As Montreal’s IGA Stadium hosts one of its deepest fields ever, Rybakina’s blend of power, resilience, and quiet determination makes her a formidable contender, niggles and all.
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