London
21 °C
Manchester
Glasgow
15 °C
Dublin
15 °C
Belfast
Washington
18 °C
Denver
Atlanta
21 °C
Dallas
30 °C
Houston Texas
New Orleans
El Paso
Phoenix
Los Angeles
19 °C
14 °C
15 °C
Rybakina off the mark in Cincinnati / Photo: © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Rybakina off the mark in Cincinnati
Elena Rybakina earned her second victory since claiming the Wimbledon title, defeating Egyptian Mayar Sherif 6-3, 6-2 on Monday at the ATP/WTA Cincinnati Masters.
The world number 25 set up a second-round clash with eighth seed Garbine Muguruza, title-winner here in 2017.
Rybakina's success rate since defeating Ons Jabeur in the All England Club final has been modest, with a first-round defeat at the Silicon Valley event and a 1-1 record last week in Toronto.
The 23-year-old Kazakh lifted her game in the second set to end with five aces and 13 winners against Sharif.
"I was slow at the beginning but I got my rhythm and served well," Rybakina said. "But my serve always helps me."
The newest Grand Slam champion said she is trying to look ahead in her career as she adjusts to her status.
"Wimbledon gave me confidence but now I'm focusing on my other tournaments and trying not to think of the past," she said.
"I'm looking forward to playing as much as i can here."
D. Wassiljew--BTZ
