Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina secured her team's first victory at the United Cup by defeating Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6:2, 6:3.
The match, which took place on December 27, 2024, lasted one hour and 18 minutes, during which Rybakina showcased her top-tier skills. The 6th ranked player globally started strong, racing to a 4:0 lead early on, and though Bouzas Maneiro attempted to mount a comeback, the first set concluded decisively with Rybakina winning 6:2. The second set proved to be tougher, with both players trading games until Rybakina broke Bouzas Maneiro's serve to clinch the match.
Rybakina’s victory leveled the tie at 1-1, as earlier, Alexander Shevchenko faced Pablo Carreño Busta but lost handily with scores of 2:6, 1:6. With both teams now having one win each, everything hinged on the upcoming mixed doubles match, where Rybakina and Shevchenko were set to compete against Spain's duo of Ivón Cavaliere-Reimers and Sergio Martos-Gornes.
The United Cup is noteworthy for its team format, which incorporates both men's and women’s matches under the governance of ATP and WTA. The tournament kicked off with excitement surrounding the participation of national teams, including Kazakhstan's lineup boasting Rybakina, Shevchenko, and others, all led by Team Captain Alexander Nedovesov.
Having won her match, Rybakina expressed optimism about Kazakhstan's potential to advance past Spain. "We aim high, and together we can achieve great things against strong opponents like Spain," she mentioned, setting the tone for the mixed doubles clash.
The tournament continues through January 5, 2025, with 18 national teams vying for the trophy—reflecting the growing competitiveness and significance of international tennis on this stage.
Rybakina’s skilled performance not only marked her contribution to the Kazakh team but also continued to strengthen her position as one of the leading figures in women’s tennis. Her 4 successful breaks of serve, combined with the absence of aces from her opponent, highlighted her dominance throughout the match.
Now, with the score tied, the final showdown awaits, promising excitement for fans and sports enthusiasts watching to see who will emerge victorious from this engaging matchup.
