In a disappointing turn of events, Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, currently ranked third in the world, has withdrawn from the Eastbourne International due to a viral illness. This unexpected development has sparked concerns about her ability to defend her title at the prestigious All England Club next week.
Rybakina had been set to face off against Wang Xiyu in the opening match of the main draw at Eastbourne on Monday. However, her recurring health issues have forced her to pull out once again, after withdrawing from her third-round match at the French Open earlier this month and suffering a surprising defeat to Donna Vekic in the second round of the German Open last week.
The absence of the Kazakhstani player has shifted the spotlight to Russian Daria Kasatkina, who currently holds the highest ranking among the players in action on Monday. In a politically-charged match, Kasatkina emerged victorious against Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina with a commanding score of 6-3, 6-1.
Looking ahead, Kasatkina is set to face Karolina Pliskova in the second round following the Czech’s advancement due to Elise Mertens retiring in the deciding set of their clash. As the world number 11 based in Dubai, Kasatkina’s journey to this stage has been marred by her ban from competing in Britain last year due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Reflecting on the situation, she acknowledged the dire circumstances faced by Ukrainians and expressed uncertainty regarding the conflict’s resolution.
With her family still residing in Russia, Kasatkina expressed her concerns, saying, “As you can see, the last few days it’s been a big mess also there. It’s been a tough year, and we don’t know how long it’s going to be. Honestly, so far I don’t see the end.” The weight of the situation is apparent in her words as she candidly shared her feelings, emphasizing, “It feels terrible, honestly. I’m not going to hide it. It’s tough to face the circumstances for such a long time already. I’m just trying to be a good human in this scenario. That’s all I can do.”
Amidst Rybakina’s absence and Kasatkina’s politically-charged victory, British tennis fans found cause for celebration as Harriet Dart and Jodie Burrage triumphed in hard-fought three-set matches against China’s Zhang Shuai and American Lauren Davis, respectively. The home crowd’s spirits were lifted as these British talents displayed their resilience and determination.
Looking ahead to Tuesday’s action, tennis enthusiasts can anticipate captivating matches featuring prominent players like Jessica Pegula, Ons Jabeur, Coco Gauff, and Petra Kvitova, among others. As the tournament unfolds, spectators will witness fierce battles and outstanding performances from the biggest names in the sport.