Elena Rybakina fights off resilient Dayana Yastremska to reach Canadian Open quarterfinals

Elena Rybakina claimed a hard-fought victory against 30th seed Dayana Yastremska with a score of 5-7, 6-2, 7-5, guaranteeing her passage to the quarterfinals. The 2022 Wimbledon champion, who was absent from the tournament in 2024, is now earning crucial ranking points and is back in contention for a return to the top 10.

The Kazakhstani player is guaranteed to advance one position in the rankings to No. 11, placing her just a couple of wins away from re-entering the top 10. In the quarterfinals, Rybakina will face Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk, who just overcame McCartney Kessler in a three-set battle.

First Set: Yastremska's late surge to steal first set

Rybakina performed well on her serve, as she has in recent weeks, landing 63% of her first serves and winning 70% of those points. The Kazakhstani was the first to trouble her opponent on the return, earning a break point in the third game, but she was unable to convert.

The score remained level at 3-3, a moment when Rybakina secured the first break of the match. However, Yastremska responded with a break back, keeping the uncertainty alive. Yastremska was up 5-4 and had two set points on the return, but Rybakina saved them. Nevertheless, the Ukrainian had found confidence late in the set and ultimately got the break in the following game, closing out the set 7-5.

Second Set: Rybakina's commanding response

Yastremska started the second set with confidence, holding her service game. But Rybakina was the first to get a break in the third game. The Kazakhstani took a 3-1 lead and held on to her advantage for the rest of the set. From that first game onward, Rybakina won six of the next seven games.

This time, the Kazakhstani surrendered only five points on her serve, winning 76% of her service points, while taking 52% of return points. Rybakina didn't face a single break point and converted two of her four break opportunities in the set.

Third Set: Clutch Rybakina clinches decisive set

The third set started level, with both players defending their service games without major problems. Rybakina took the lead in the fifth game, but Yastremska responded quickly with a break back—both converting on their first opportunity.

The world No. 35 had improved her service effectiveness considerably, looking more confident from that part of her game. Things remained tied, and at 4-5, 15-30, Rybakina was able to hold serve and stay in the match.

When the score was 5-5, Yastremska showed some signs of doubt, going from a 30-0 lead to giving up a break opportunity. Rybakina showed her poise in the crucial moment and got the decisive break to take the win. Displaying her usual composure, Rybakina then wasted up to three match points—and saved a break point against her—before finally securing the victory in a tight and tense final game with a score of 5-7, 6-2, 7-5.

Kostyuk's hot streak continues ahead of Rybakina showdown

In the quarterfinals, Rybakina will face 24th seed Marta Kostyuk, who is on a good run of form after a couple of wins against tough opponents. The Ukrainian has beaten former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, then Daria Kasatkina (15th seed), and McCartney Kessler (28th seed) on her way to the quarterfinals, all after coming back from a set down to win.

At the moment, they have faced each other on three previous occasions, with two wins for Rybakina and one for Kostyuk. The last match was in the final of the Stuttgart Open 2024, with a victory for the Kazakhstani.

Match Statistics Rybakina vs. Yastremska