SINGLES LADIES WIMBLEDON 2022 – It will therefore be a duel of neophytes which will take place during the Wimbledon ladies’ final. Like Ons Jabeur before her, Elena Rybakina qualified for her first major tournament final, by dismissing 2019 winner Simona Halep without contest (6-3, 6-3).
Winner here in 2019, Simona Halep was unable to defend her title last year (the 2020 edition was canceled) due to a calf injury. Having fully returned to a high level, the Romanian, who has won 12 consecutive victories at Wimbledon, was the favorite for this second semi-final. But Elena Rybakina , for her first appearance at this level in a grand slam, did not appear as an expiatory victim. With her great serve and solid game, the Kazakh had a case to make. And why not create a surprise to join Ons Jabeur in the final, qualified just before .
Rybakina impresses
Unimpressed by what was at stake, Elena Rybakina scored the first six points of the match. Aggressive, she corners a Simona Halep who is visibly not awake. The Kazakh leads 3-0 in 8 minutes in front of a dumbfounded audience. The Romanian avoids disaster by dismissing a double break point, before registering her first game. But her rival dominates with her great serve.
The former world No. 1 concedes break points on all of her commitments. She retains her hard-fought serve, but is unable to threaten the Kazakh on hers. Impressive, Elena Rybakina does not let the Romanian breathe, and even gets a set point at 5-2, on opposing service, saved by Simona Halep. But the neophyte closes the deal in the next game, 6-3, having won 82% of points behind her first ball.
A first for Rybakina
Simona Halep starts the second set on serve. The opportunity is good to race in the lead, but after a hard game, she gives up her commitment by concluding on two consecutive double faults. Elena Rybakina confirms the break and therefore leads 6-3, 2-0. The path wide open to go to the final, the Kazakh lowers her foot somewhat. Her disproportionate experience helping, Simona Halep rushes into the breach and equalizes at 2-2, taking her opponent’s serve for the first time.
