Rybakina outlasts Zheng in Madrid to reach Fourth Round

Elena Rybakina kept her composure in a demanding Madrid Open clash to defeat Zheng Qinwen 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 and move into the fourth round. The victory, completed in 2 hours and 21 minutes, was her fourth in five meetings against Zheng and extended a strong 2026 campaign that has already made her one of the WTA Tour’s most consistent performers.

The match was tense from the start and became even more dramatic in the second set, when Rybakina had to regroup after falling behind. In the end, her cleaner tennis and superior shot selection made the difference on a clay court that rewarded patience as much as power.

How the match turned

Zheng entered the match with more winners and aces, but her 45 unforced errors proved costly. Nine double faults added to the pressure and left her vulnerable in the key moments, especially when the second set tightened.

Rybakina did not need to dominate every rally to control the match. She stayed close, forced Zheng to play extra balls, and took advantage when her opponent’s level dropped late in the second set and again in the decider.

Key turning points

The turning point came in the second set, when three double faults helped Rybakina break serve and steal momentum. That break followed a controversial line-calling sequence that left Rybakina frustrated, but she responded by staying focused rather than letting the moment carry the match away from her.

In the final set, Rybakina struck first to lead 3-1, briefly lost the advantage, then broke again to go up 4-2 and close out the contest. Her final match point came after a backhand winner set up the chance, and she sealed the result when Zheng missed on the second opportunity.

What Rybakina said

Rybakina said the standard of the match was higher than in their previous meeting and praised Zheng’s level, especially on serve and return. She also pointed to her own ability to stay close during the second set and take her chance when it arrived.

That response matters because the result was not a clean straight-sets win, but a test of resilience. For a player aiming to win a clay-court title in a high-pressure draw, that kind of victory can be more valuable than a routine performance.

What it means next

The win gave Rybakina her 27th tour-level victory of the season, which leads the WTA Tour. She now faces lucky loser Anastasia Potapova for a place in the quarterfinals, with the pair having met once before at tour level, in Brisbane in 2024, where Rybakina won on the way to the title.

For Zheng, the result was still a sign of progress. She said the match showed her where she needs to improve in big moments, and that the level is there for her to take the next step in future matches.

SportsLigue