Kazakh player asserts control in their 16th career meeting
Elena Rybakina delivered a commanding performance to defeat Iga Swiatek in straight sets, prevailing in the 16th meeting between the two top-five players and underlining her growing authority in one of the most compelling rivalries on the WTA Tour.
Early momentum shift decides the opening set
Swiatek began the match strongly, breaking serve immediately to take a 1–0 lead. Rybakina responded without hesitation, securing a rebreak and settling into the contest.
From that point until 6–5 in Rybakina’s favor, the opening set remained finely balanced, with both players producing similar numbers of winners and unforced errors. When Swiatek served to stay in the set, the expectation was that she would force a tiebreak. Instead, Rybakina raised her level, broke serve and claimed the opening set to seize a one-set lead.
One-sided second set seals the outcome
The second set unfolded very differently. Swiatek’s level dropped noticeably, while Rybakina maintained her intensity and control.
Rybakina did not face a single break point on her own serve and was clinical when opportunities arose. She converted both of her break chances, racing through the set 6–1 and closing out the match in emphatic fashion.
Head-to-head gap narrows
With this straight-sets victory, Rybakina reduced Swiatek’s advantage in their head-to-head record to 9–7, further tightening a rivalry that continues to evolve at the highest level of the women’s game.
The match highlighted Rybakina’s ability to impose herself against elite opposition, particularly when she dictates play with confidence and precision.
For a broader look at the significance of this stage of the tournament, read our full Australian Open 2026: Day 11 Preview.
By Hameltion – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=140324844
By Hameltion – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Iga_%C5%9Awi%C4%85tek_(2023_US_Open)_46.jpg, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=170033584