Elena Rybakina vs. Elina Svitolina
These two are both having what could turn into career-best seasons. Rybakina has won a Slam and risen to No. 2; Svitolina has won a title, put up a 26-7 record, and re-entered the Top 10. Rybakina’s run was not unexpected, considering that she’s still just 26, and she closed 2025 with a title run at the WTA Finals. Svitolina’s surge, though, has been a surprise. At 31, after three seasons outside the Top 20, and a mental break late last year, her best days appeared to be behind her.
They’ve played seven times, and Rybakina has won four of those matches, including their most recent, in the Indian Wells semifinals in March. But Svitolina has won two of three on clay, and that semi at IW was a close two-setter. She’s probably a more natural clay-courter than Rybakina, and is capable of an upset here.
But just as it is for Pegula when she faces Swiatek, this is an uphill battle for Svitolina. She has committed to a more aggressive game style in 2026, and it has worked against most opponents. But to win the power-baseline battle against Rybakina, she might have to throw caution aside and red line her game. Even if she does that successfully, Rybakina will always have a chance to equalize with her serve. Winner: Rybakina
👉 Estimated start time: 1:00 p.m. ET | 10:00 a.m. PT
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