Reigning US Open mixed doubles champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori picked up right where they left off, defeating the high-profile pairing of Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz 4-2, 4-2 in one of the first matches of the revamped mixed doubles event.
In a fourth-round showdown No.22 seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan upset World No.1 Iga Swiatek of Poland to make her first Australian Open quarterfinal here at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.
Rybakina won the second set 6-2 after breaking Ons Jabeur twice. After winning the first set 6-3, Jabeur faltered in the second as Rybakina took control.
It is a classic clash of the two distinct styles -- Rybakina, at 6-feet-0, hits the ball hard, with tempo and timing. Jabeur is shorter but is a magician with the racquet, routinely making unbelievable shots with power and precision.
The 23-year-old Rybakina's power game has pulled her through the 2022 Wimbledon Championships final. She blasted her way to victory in just 1 hour and 15 minutes, handing Halep her first loss at Wimbledon since 2018.
