Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the first time on Monday and confidently declared: “I have a gift”.
The Russian-born 17th seed defeated Croatia’s Petra Martic 7-5, 6-3.
Rybakina, who switched nationality to Kazakhstan in 2018, has made the last eight without dropping a set.
In Monday’s win over Martic on Court One, she also unleashed the second-fastest serve of the tournament — 122 miles (196 kilometres) per hour.
When under siege, she has saved 17 of 23 break points over four rounds.
“I never compared myself with anyone. I just know that I have this gift. I’m tall and I play really fast,” said Rybakina.
“It’s effortless, I would say. It’s not something I’m working in the gym or something. This is my weapon, and I’m just trying to use it as much as I can.”
The 23-year-old will be playing in her second Grand Slam quarter-final, having also reached the last eight at the French Open in 2021.
Despite her powerful game, Rybakina struggled in the build-up to Wimbledon, winning just one of three grass-court matches.
“This year I would say that I didn’t start well. I was not so confident because I didn’t have good preparation. I was injured, got sick in Paris, and I couldn’t recover,” said Rybakina.
“But maybe I was more relaxed. I’m still more relaxed, enjoying my time here.”
Rybakina will face either Alize Cornet of France or Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic for a place in the semi-finals.
