Wimbledon 2022: Elena Rybakina defeats Ajla Tomljanovic in women’s quarterfinals

Aussie falls in Wimbledon quarterfinals to big-serving former Russian Elena Rybakina, who switched allegiances to cashed-up Kazakhstan four years ago.

Ajla Tomljanovic slips over during her Wimbledon quarterfinal loss to Elena Rybakina. Picture: Getty Images

Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic is out of Wimbledon, falling to the big serving Elena Rybakina 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in their Wimbledon quarterfinal on Wednesday.

Rybakina, born in Moscow and a product of the Spartak academy in the Russian capital, was able to play at Wimbledon this year because she had switched allegiances to big spending Kazakhstan four years ago.

No wonder the 23-year-old looked confused on court when the announcer kept asking her how it felt for her country to be in its first grand slam semi-final.

“I started a bit slow, maybe I was nervous, Ajla played well and was defending well and I just focused on myself to find my way,’’ Rybakina said.

Electric Elena ​⚡​

Rybakina books her place in the semi-final with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 win over Ajla Tomljanovic#Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/OZTdZPlYNx

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 6, 2022

Rybakina had not dropped a set throughout the Championships until coming up against the 29-year-old Australian. And Tomljanovic delivered a big scare on court one, returning Rybakina’s powerful serves as she moved brilliantly around the court to take the first set.

But in the second game of the second set Rybakina stepped up her intensity, changed her approach and came into the net with a brave crosscourt shot to break Tomljanovic’s serve.

Even though Tomljanovic then responded with a series of slice forehand shots to break straight back, she was eventually overpowered and lost the set 6-2 as Rybakina won 11 points in a row.

Elena Rybakina plays a forehand during her win over Ajla Tomljanovic. Picture: Getty Images

Ajla Tomljanovic shows her frustration during her quarterfinal against Elena Rybakina. Picture: Getty Images

In the deciding set, Tomljanovic dug in to halt a seven game run by Rybakina. Down 5-1, Tomljanovic failed to concede and made Rybakina fight hard for the win.

Before the match Tomljanovic said she had tried to adopt a “Rafa Nadal” mentality, not giving up on any point.

“I think in my soul I’m a big fighter. Maybe sometimes [it] doesn’t come out as much because I’m not vocal. I really never give up,’’ she said.