Australian Open 2025 results: Elena Rybakina needs treatment on back during third-round win
Elena Rybakina says she needs some “magic” if she wants to go far at the Australian Open after winning in the third round.
Sixth-seeded Rybakina, runner-up at Melbourne Park two years ago, beat Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska 6-3 6-4 but required a medical timeout after just three games.
The 25-year-old Kazakhstani player was clearly struggling with mobility and needed seven match points to seal the victory.
Asked later if her back was okay, Rybakina replied: “It’s okay. I’m going to see my physio and hopefully he can work some magic.”
“Honestly, I didn’t know how it was going to go because it happened so suddenly.”
Former Wimbledon champion Rybakina suffered a series of injuries in 2024, battling fatigue, illness and back problems at various times.
Against Yastremska, Rybakina tried to speed up the game by shortening the game and hitting winners, thanks in part to her opponent’s 37 unforced errors.
“I need to stay there and try to hold my serve,” Rybakina said.
“I know it’s hard for me to stay in a rally for long, so sometimes I try to take bigger risks.”
Rybakina will face either Daniel Collins or Madison Keys later on Saturday in Monday’s fourth round.
