Russian-born Elena Rybakina stunned former champion Simona Halep in straight sets to reach a maiden Wimbledon final. The 23-year-old’s relentless display of powerful hitting proved too much for 2019 winner Halep as a 6-3 6-3 victory booked a Saturday showdown with third seed Ons Jabeur.
Rybakina, who was born in Moscow and still lives there, dodged Wimbledon’s ban on Russian players having switched to represent Kazakhstan four years ago.
That decision, taken in order to receive more funding, has paid dividends for both parties as the world number 23 became the first Kazakh player to reach a grand slam final.
Halep had blitzed her way past seeded opponents Paula Badosa and Amanda Anisimova as she looked for a third major title. But the Romanian could not buy a first serve, with nine double faults to Rybakina’s five aces telling its own story.