In a commanding display of resilience and skill, Elena Rybakina has surged into the semifinals of the 2025 Internationaux de Strasbourg, marking her first back-to-back victories since March. The 25-year-old Kazakhstani star, seeded fourth at the WTA 500 event, delivered a polished 7-5, 6-3 win over Poland’s Magda Linette in Thursday’s quarterfinals, following a swift 6-1, 6-3 rout of China’s Xinyu Wang in the second round. This milestone, achieved on the eve of Roland Garros, signals a timely resurgence for the 2022 Wimbledon champion, who has battled inconsistency and injury setbacks throughout the 2025 season. As she prepares for a potential clash with Emma Navarro or Beatriz Haddad Maia, Rybakina’s Strasbourg performance offers a glimpse of the form that once propelled her to a career-high world No. 3 ranking.
Rybakina’s journey in Strasbourg has been a breath of fresh air after a challenging clay season. Following early exits in Madrid and Rome—where she fell to Bianca Andreescu in the third round—and a withdrawal from defending her Stuttgart title due to Billie Jean King Cup commitments, the world No. 12 accepted a wildcard into Strasbourg to sharpen her game. Her second-round match against Wang was a masterclass, lasting just 64 minutes. Rybakina’s celebrated serve was untouchable, firing six aces without a double fault and winning nearly 80% of her first-serve points. “I feel good on court. Still a lot to improve but physically & mentally I’m happy to play tournaments,” she said after defeating Linette, reflecting a renewed confidence. Her quarterfinal performance was equally impressive, with 29 winners and a sharp first serve that kept Linette, who also hit six aces, at bay despite a competitive first set.
The victory over Linette, a player Rybakina has now beaten in all three of their encounters, was particularly significant. Their previous meetings, on indoor hard courts in 2021 Ostrava and 2023 Billie Jean King Cup, were straight-sets wins, but this clay-court battle tested Rybakina’s adaptability. Linette, coming off a strong 6-4, 6-3 win over Rebecca Sramkova, pushed Rybakina with long rallies and a robust serving game. Yet, Rybakina’s ability to stay clutch in key moments—especially in the first set’s tight 7-5 finish—proved decisive. “I think it’s getting better & better. Hopefully I can play more here & perform well at French Open,” Rybakina added, her eyes firmly set on the Grand Slam starting May 25. Her 2-0 head-to-head record against Linette on clay, including a Billie Jean King Cup qualifier, underscores her growing comfort on the surface.[](https://www.thestatszone.com/magda-linette-vs-elena-rybakina-preview-prediction-2025-internationaux-de-strasbourg-quarter-final-125367)
Rybakina’s 2025 season has been a tale of highs and lows. She started strong, winning titles in Brisbane, Abu Dhabi, and Stuttgart, and reaching finals in Doha and Miami. However, injuries, including a withdrawal from Rome due to illness, and a grueling schedule have disrupted her momentum. Her last back-to-back wins came during the Middle East swing in February, making her Strasbourg run a critical step toward rediscovering her rhythm. The Kazakhstani’s powerful serve and aggressive baseline game, which produced 36 winners in her 2024 Roland Garros first-round win over Greet Minnen, are regaining their edge. Her Strasbourg campaign, her first since reaching the 2020 final (where she lost to Elina Svitolina), is a testament to her determination to reclaim her status among the WTA’s elite.[](https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/paula-badosa-elena-rybakina-advance-strasbourg-openers)[](https://www.wtatennis.com/news/4029317/rybakina-eases-past-minnen-into-roland-garros-second-round)
The Strasbourg field, packed with talent like Paula Badosa, Emma Raducanu, and Liudmila Samsonova, has provided a perfect proving ground. Rybakina’s semifinal berth sets up a potential blockbuster against Navarro or Haddad Maia, both dangerous on clay. Fans are also buzzing about a possible rematch with Svitolina, who defeated her in the 2020 Strasbourg final, adding intrigue to her campaign. Social media posts from fans highlight the positivity surrounding her performance, with one noting, “Definite signs of improvement in her game, another win with a positive winners/UFE ratio, very good on 1st serve, clutch when she needed to be.” As Rybakina gears up for Roland Garros, where she reached the quarterfinals in 2021, her Strasbourg resurgence is a bold statement. With her serve firing and confidence growing, the former Wimbledon champion is poised to make waves in Paris, proving that her best tennis is far from over.[](https://motorcyclesports.net/elena-rybakinas-bold-redemption-quest-strasbourg-wildcard-sparks-intense-french-open-preparations/)
# Elena Rybakina’s Strasbourg Surge Signals French Open Ambitions
## A Resurgent Run
Elena Rybakina has reignited her 2025 season at the Internationaux de Strasbourg, securing back-to-back wins for the first time since March. The No. 4 seed and 2022 Wimbledon champion defeated Xinyu Wang 6-1, 6-3 and Magda Linette 7-5, 6-3 to reach the semifinals, showcasing her powerful serve and aggressive play. This marks her strongest performance since early-season titles in Brisbane, Abu Dhabi, and Stuttgart.
## Dominating on Clay
Rybakina’s second-round win over Wang was a 64-minute clinic, with six aces and no breaks of serve. Her quarterfinal against Linette, a 6-4, 6-3 victor over Rebecca Sramkova, was tighter but equally impressive, with 29 winners. “I feel good on court. Still a lot to improve but physically & mentally I’m happy to play tournaments,” Rybakina said, signaling renewed confidence. She holds a 3-0 head-to-head edge over Linette, including a clay-court win in 2023.
## Overcoming Challenges
After a stellar start to 2025, injuries and early losses in Madrid and Rome disrupted Rybakina’s momentum. Her wildcard entry into Strasbourg, her first appearance since the 2020 final, reflects her determination to regain form. “I think it’s getting better & better. Hopefully I can play more here & perform well at French Open,” she noted, eyeing Roland Garros, where she reached the 2021 quarterfinals.[](https://motorcyclesports.net/elena-rybakinas-bold-redemption-quest-strasbourg-wildcard-sparks-intense-french-open-preparations/)
## Looking Ahead
Rybakina faces Emma Navarro or Beatriz Haddad Maia in the semifinals, with a potential rematch against 2020 Strasbourg champion Elina Svitolina looming. Her lethal serve and 90% third-set win rate since 2019 make her a threat. As she builds momentum, Rybakina’s Strasbourg run is a bold statement of intent for Paris, where she aims to reclaim her place among the WTA’s elite.[](https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis-player/352/elena-rybakina/)
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