Elena Rybakina, the No. 12 seed and 2022 Wimbledon champion, survived a tense first-round match at the 2025 French Open, defeating Argentine qualifier Julia Riera 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 on May 26, 2025, at Roland Garros. The Kazakhstani star, fresh off her WTA 500 Strasbourg title win on May 24, overcame a mid-match lapse to advance to the second round, where she will face Serbia’s Natalija Stevanovic. The nearly two-hour contest showcased Rybakina’s resilience, as she battled 43 unforced errors and a spirited challenge from the world No. 202, reinforcing her status as a title contender despite recent injury setbacks.
Match Recap
Rybakina started dominantly, racing through the first set 6-1 in just 23 minutes, leveraging her powerful serve and aggressive baseline play, which produced 35 winners, including 16 aces, per @TheTennisLetter on X. Riera, who qualified with ease, losing only 10 games in her last two matches, fought back in the second set, capitalizing on Rybakina’s errors to win 6-4 after breaking serve four times. The deciding set saw Riera level the score at 4-4 with a 30-15 lead, but a critical forehand error handed Rybakina the break. Serving for the match, Rybakina closed it out with a backhand error from Riera, securing her 24th win of 2025. “I’m on the right way, playing better each match,” Rybakina told reporters, echoing her Strasbourg confidence.
Context and Challenges
Rybakina’s 2025 season has been marked by inconsistency due to injuries and coaching changes. After a strong 2024 with titles in Brisbane, Abu Dhabi, and Stuttgart, she withdrew from seven tournaments, including the 2024 US Open and Italian Open, due to illness and fatigue. Her Strasbourg victory over Liudmila Samsonova (6-1, 6-7(2), 6-1) marked her ninth career title and first in over a year, boosting her confidence. However, the suspension of her coach Stefano Vukov for 12 months following a WTA code of conduct investigation added off-court drama, with Goran Ivanišević briefly coaching her before Vukov’s rehiring and subsequent ban. Rybakina’s clay record (4-4 in 2025, including a second-round loss in Madrid) and past Roland Garros results (quarterfinals in 2021 and 2024) suggest potential, but her 43 unforced errors against Riera highlight ongoing consistency issues.
French Open Outlook
Rybakina’s draw remains challenging, with a potential third-round clash against Elena-Gabriela Ruse or McCartney Kessler, and a fourth-round match possibly against Emma Raducanu or Iga Swiatek, who Raducanu faces in the second round. Her powerful serve, reaching 127 mph, and aggressive style suit Roland Garros’ faster clay, as she noted: “I have time to move, and my big serve works well here.” Analysts, including Dimers.com, gave Rybakina a 91% chance of defeating Riera, reflecting her favoritism, though her error count raises concerns. A potential semifinal against Aryna Sabalenka looms, following their 2024 French Open practice sessions and possible 2025 rematch.
Connections to Broader Narratives
Rybakina’s gritty performance parallels other French Open 2025 stories. Like Paula Badosa, who faces Naomi Osaka while managing a back injury, Rybakina battles physical and mental hurdles. Emma Raducanu’s first-round win over Wang Xinyu, despite her own back issues, mirrors Rybakina’s resilience, while Jannik Sinner’s crowd scrutiny and Novak Djokovic’s emotional tribute to Rafael Nadal highlight the tournament’s high stakes. Off-court, Jack Grealish’s transfer rumors and Luke Littler’s darts milestone chase reflect the pressure on athletes like Rybakina to perform under scrutiny. Her ability to reset after Strasbourg and navigate early scares positions her as a major threat, provided she maintains health and focus.
