Elena Rybakina, qualified in the “quarters” at the Australian Open, and the unknown connection with the country of Antipozi + duel with Iga Swiatek

A performance close to peak level, comparable to that which brought her triumph at the WTA Finals at the end of last season, ensured Elena Rybakina a smooth qualification to the quarter-finals.

The match with Elise Mertens it took one hour and 17 minutes, during which the Kazakh managed 32 winning shotsbetween which 10 acescapitalizing in proportion to 72% first service. This win took her to her seventh career Grand Slam quarter-final, but her first since Wimbledon 2024.

“I'm glad I was aggressive in the game and managed to get through one more lap,” she said at the end, modestly adding that she had sent “some good services.” He faced only one break point, right in the first service game, and from there he took the initiative in front of a not very comfortable opponent.

After an expeditious first act, in the second the Belgian, a little more settled in the match, tried to vary, sending a short one at a time. She was unable to disrupt the pace of her opponent, who dominated both forehand and backhand, easily generating strong shots.

“I had many opportunities to step forward on her second serve and I did. Overall, I think the match was good“, said Elena.

Summary of the match Elena Rybakina – Elise Mertens

She then spoke about the special bond she has with a Melbourne family she met a decade ago when she played in the junior Australian Open as a 16-year-old.

“When I first came here, I was alone“, she told the press conference. “I remember losing in the first round and through my aunt I met this family. I stayed in their house I think for almost a week.

They showed me many beautiful places, which remain in my mind for now when I come to Melbourne, I don't have time to walk and visit,” added Elena.

“Keep in touch. Their children are growing up. It's interesting to see how time flies and how they have changed. But yeah, it's a great memory and a relationship too“.

Elena Rybakina, clash with Iga Swiatek in the “quarters”

Rybakina confessed that during the tournament she doesn't go out much, not even for a coffee. “I don't know why, but I always have grounds, hotel, dinner in the room. The days go by pretty fast. I can say it's boring now, but before the tour started, I had more time, I spent it with the family I talked about, with friends,” she said.

Her next opponent is Iga Swiatek (24, World No. 2), whom she most recently met at the WTA Finals in Riyadh in November 2025, and beat her with 3-6, 6-1, 6-0. The record of their matches is balanced, 5-5.

Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek after the match at the WTA Finals 2025 Photo: Guliver/GettyImages

“We met many times. She moves very well. I'm going to have to not only stay aggressive, but change my shots a bit, maybe more variety. When I played here before, it was also hot, the ball was flying. Let's see what happens”, concluded Elena Rybakina.

Apart from the final in 2023, another good result in Melbourne is qualification in the “eighties” in 2025.