Elena Rybakina 'half a step ahead' of Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka in race for Wimbledon title - Wilander

Elena Rybakina is «half a step ahead» of Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka as the favourite for the women's title at Wimbledon, according to seven-time major champion Mats Wilander. Rybakina has been in scintillating form ever since she survived a first-round scare against Shelby Rogers and reached the last eight on Monday when opponent Beatriz Haddad Maia retired in the first set. Ad The defending champion has surged up the WTA rankings to No.

3 after a brilliant 12 months. WimbledonSabalenka outclasses Alexandrova to reach quarter-finals, Jabeur races past Kvitova5 HOURS AGO She won a maiden Grand Slam at SW19 last July and reached the Australian Open final in January, also claiming wins at Indian Wells and the Italian Open this season. She also looked primed for a deep run at Roland-Garros in June before she withdrew due to illness.

Meanwhile, Swiatek has reached a maiden quarter-final at Wimbledon after saving two match points to beat Belinda Bencic on Sunday, while Sabalenka blew away Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-4 6-0 to reach the last eight on Monday. Weighing up the merits of the 'big three' – Swiatek, Sabalenka and Rybakina – Eurosport expert Wilander said: «Well, I think they've had their dips. »Aryna Sabalenka had a little bit of a problem against [Varvara] Gracheva [in the second round] when she got involved in a three-set match, but then she played great in the next round.

«Iga Swiatek was down match points to Belinda Bencic. She did great to come back, she's showing that she's getting more used to the grass and she's talking about how she's enjoying it more. Andreeva to umpire after point penalty — 'Do you understand what you are doing?' Azarenka 'did nothing wrong' by not shaking Svitolina's hand — Robson »And