The past 12 months of Elena Rybakina’s career have been a revelation but, despite how well she has followed up last year’s Wimbledon title, a slice of bad luck struck at precisely the worst time. She returned for her title defence still dealing with the after effects of the virus that forced her to withdraw from the French Open last month. Her level in her first two rounds at Wimbledon this year had, for good reason, been distinctly average.
But the best of the best have a way of rising to the occasion when the Centre Court is electric, and as she stared down Katie Boulter, Britain’s last remaining singles player in either draw, Rybakina soared. In just 57 minutes, the defending champion ended Great Britain’s singles presence at Wimbledon for another year, demolishing Boulter 6-1, 6-1 to return to the fourth round.
