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.

The defending champion has surged up the WTA rankings to No. 3 after a brilliant 12 months.

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.

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.

“And then you have Elena Rybakina. When she starts getting going we realise ‘oh okay, here we go again’.

“She’s perfect for the grass with the big serve and then the confidence from last year. So out of the three, you most probably have to put Rybakina half a step ahead in terms of being the favourite.”

Rybakina will meet Tunisian Ons Jabeur next in a rematch of the 2022 final, while Swiatek faces Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina.

Sabalenka tackles American Madison Keys.

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