In a commanding display of power and precision, Elena Rybakina stormed into the fourth round of the 2025 French Open, dismantling former champion Jelena Ostapenko with a decisive 6-2, 6-3 victory on the clay courts of Roland Garros. The Kazakhstani 12th seed showcased her formidable game, blending relentless aggression with tactical finesse to outclass the 2017 French Open winner. This triumph sets the stage for a blockbuster round-of-16 clash against four-time champion Iga Swiatek, a matchup that promises to be one of the tournament’s most electrifying battles.
Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, entered the match riding a seven-match winning streak, fresh off a title run at the Internationaux de Strasbourg. Her performance against Ostapenko was a masterclass in controlled aggression. From the outset, she seized the initiative, breaking Ostapenko’s serve in the opening game of the first set and again in the seventh to secure a 6-2 lead. The second set followed a similar script, with Rybakina breaking early and maintaining her dominance, capitalizing on Ostapenko’s unforced errors to close out the match in just 75 minutes. Despite landing less than 50% of her first serves, Rybakina’s strategic shot selection and ability to dictate rallies kept the Latvian on the defensive, unable to find her rhythm. “I think I know who I’m gonna play next,” Rybakina said post-match, her focus already shifting to Swiatek. “But I usually don’t really look at the draw. Because you never know what’s gonna happen. I’ll try to do my best.”
Ostapenko, known for her explosive shot-making and fearless style, had hoped to leverage her perfect 6-0 record against Swiatek to secure a fourth-round meeting with the Pole. However, the 21st seed struggled to match Rybakina’s consistency. Despite her recent title in Stuttgart and a strong clay-court pedigree, Ostapenko’s high-risk game faltered under pressure, with unforced errors piling up at critical moments. Her journey to the third round included hard-fought, come-from-behind victories over Polina Kudermetova and Caroline Dolehide, showcasing her resilience but also highlighting her inconsistency. Against Rybakina, the Latvian’s trademark aggression was stifled, marking her fourth consecutive loss to the Kazakhstani, who now leads their head-to-head 4-2.
The tennis world buzzed with anticipation as Rybakina’s victory set up a highly anticipated showdown with Swiatek, who earlier in the day extended her Roland Garros winning streak to 24 matches with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Jaqueline Cristian. Swiatek, seeded fifth and chasing a historic fourth consecutive French Open title, has a tied 4-4 head-to-head record with Rybakina, including two clay-court losses in 2023 (Rome and Stuttgart). Rybakina’s powerful first serve and flat, penetrating groundstrokes pose a significant challenge to Swiatek’s defensive prowess, making their upcoming match a clash of contrasting styles. “Playing against Elena is never easy,” Swiatek acknowledged after her recent Qatar Open win over Rybakina, hinting at the intensity of their rivalry.
Rybakina’s path to the fourth round was not without challenges. She opened her French Open campaign with a gritty three-set win over qualifier Julia Riera (6-1, 4-6, 6-4) before cruising past wild card Iva Jovic (6-3, 6-3). Her recent form, including a title in Strasbourg, has restored the confidence that wavered during early clay-season exits in Madrid and Rome. Meanwhile, Swiatek’s dominance on Parisian clay remains unmatched, though her 2025 season has been turbulent, with no titles since her 2024 French Open triumph. The Pole’s ability to adapt her game, incorporating drop shots and explosive backhands, will be tested against Rybakina’s relentless baseline attack.
The scheduling of this third-round match sparked controversy among fans, who voiced frustration on social media over the decision to place the Rybakina-Ostapenko clash on Court Suzanne-Lenglen rather than the prestigious Court Philippe-Chatrier. “Why is Rybakina-Ostapenko not on Chatrier? It’s just so blood boiling,” one fan posted, reflecting the sentiment that a matchup between two Grand Slam champions deserved the main stage. Despite the snub, Rybakina’s performance was a statement of intent, proving her credentials as a contender on clay.
As the French Open progresses, the Rybakina-Swiatek encounter looms as a pivotal moment. For Rybakina, it’s an opportunity to upset the clay-court queen and advance deeper into the tournament, building on her Strasbourg momentum. For Swiatek, it’s a chance to reassert her dominance and move closer to a historic fifth Roland Garros title. Tennis fans are bracing for a thrilling battle, with Rybakina’s composure and power pitted against Swiatek’s clay-court mastery. As the Kazakhstani prepares for Sunday’s showdown, her words resonate: “I’ll try to do my best.” The stage is set for a clash that could define the 2025 French Open.
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