Elena Rybakina has set up a tantalising Cincinnati Open clash with Madison Keys after overcoming Elise Mertens in round three.
Rybakina lost in the Canadian Open semifinals earlier this month, falling to eventual champion Victoria Mboko.
But the WTA number 10 is back to winning ways at the Cincinnati Open, knocking out Mertens and Renata Zarazua so far.
Rybakina has, however, achieved victory the hard way, with the ninth seed having lost the opening set in both matches.
The 2022 Wimbledon champion now takes on current Australian Open champion Keys, who is the sixth seed in Cincinnati.
Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty ImagesElena Rybakina experiences something new in latest Cincinnati Open match
She previewed another meeting with the American on court after beating Mertens, but first analysed her latest display.
Speaking on court, Rybakina said: “It was a really tough match, long day, and the conditions are completely different from the day.
“I was trying to find my serve in the first set, I struggled a lot. I think I never did so many double faults, but something for me to learn also.
“And yeah, happy that in the end I managed to find my game, served a bit better. It’s always tough matches against Elise. And yeah, I’m just super happy. Thank you so much guys for staying so late.”
Elena Rybakina service stats vs Elise Mertens What Elena Rybakina thinks of Madison Keys ahead of Cincinnati Open clash
Rybakina is well aware that she needs to improve upon her worrying double faults tally in order to overcome Keys, having committed 10 against Mertens, as demonstrated by statistics from Sofascore.
Keys won their Australian Open fourth round meeting 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 before going on to lift the trophy in Melbourne.
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Speaking of her next opponent, Rybakina noted: “I actually didn’t know that I’m going to play against her, but I mean it’s a tough opponent again.
“We’ve been playing before and it was always a tough battle, so I definitely need to improve my serve for this match and try to stay consistent. Fewer unforced errors and yeah, try my best and let’s see how it goes.”
It is Keys who goes into the match with history on her side between the pair, having won three of their five ties so far.
She is into the last 16 in Cincinnati after defeating Aoi Ito 6-4, 6-0, which followed an opening win over Eva Lys.