April 21, (THEWILL)- Elena Rybakina defeated Marta Kostyuk 6-2 6-2 to lift the Stuttgart Open trophy on Sunday. This marks Rybakina’s third title of the year, solidifying her position as a force to be reckoned with on the WTA Tour.
The fourth-seeded Kazakhstani player wasted no time in asserting her dominance, breaking Kostyuk’s serve in the opening game of the match. Rybakina’s powerful groundstrokes and unwavering focus proved too much for the unseeded Ukrainian, who struggled to find her rhythm throughout the encounter.
Kostyuk’s hopes of mounting a comeback were swiftly crushed in the second set when Rybakina broke her serve once again in the opening game. Despite being presented with three breakpoint opportunities later in the set, Kostyuk failed to capitalise, visibly frustrated as she glanced towards her coach in the crowd.
Having dispatched world number one Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals, Rybakina showed no signs of complacency against Kostyuk. With a ruthless display of precision and power, she closed out the match in straight sets, adding the Stuttgart Open title to her triumphs at the Brisbane International and the Abu Dhabi Open earlier this year.
For Kostyuk, the defeat marked her second final loss of 2024, following her heartbreak at the San Diego Open in March. Nonetheless, her impressive run in Stuttgart serves as a testament to her potential and dedication on the court.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
