She had 15 break points or something and only managed to take 2, definitely not great if you want to win.
Had she gotten that 3-0 lead in the first set being 2-0 15-40 up she probably would have loosened up and it would have been a different match. But it was not to be.
On the other hand Rybakina wasn't even serving at her usual level either, at one point both had a first service percentage of 49.
Came down to being just slightly better in the important moments in the match. And today sadly Rybakina had the edge.
Still really proud of the way Iga fought after losing the first set and managing to take it to 3.
Saving 8 breakpoints in one service game. Can't say she didn't try her damnest even when not firing on all cylinders.
I'm actually surprisingly not too sad about this loss (sure I'm disappointed she didn't get the 3-peat) would have been another cool thing for the record books.
But she already has 2 Porsche's, and I have no doubt they will not be her last.
I'm mostly just sick of the tired narrative every time she loses to Rybakina the whole Iga has a big hitter problem, Rybakina is an all court player, blah, blah, blah.
I'm not denying that Rybakina causes Iga problems because her serve always does, but let's not exaggerate and start penciling her in as a Roland Garros contender or anything.
Beating Iga on an indoor clay is one thing, beating her on the normal slower clay of Rome and Roland Garros is quite another.
Until she beats Iga at one of those tournaments convincingly I'm calling this a one off, and will always give Iga the edge on the surface (serve and all).
You don't win 3 tournaments at Roland Garros by accident and Rybakina has yet to reach a final there.
A lot of people on the internet think that Iga not getting enough preparation on clay (due to playing hard courts at BJK Cup right before) was partly to blame for this loss.
Maybe a little.
I'd say mostly in terms of serve prep. But in general Iga herself has stated she has no problem changing surfaces. She did the same thing 2 years ago when she won the tournament for the first time.
I'm more inclined to agree with the 2nd point people were making on social media and that's Iga's return and her unwillingness to adjust by moving further back and give herself more room to make a good return.
That seemed to be the biggest culprit today. Hopefully that's something her coach can point out and work on for next time they meet.
Next up is another unconventional tournament on clay in the altitude of Madrid.
Where I believe Iga reached the final last year.
She has been really good at bouncing back from losses this season, lost in Australia won Doha, lost in Miami won Indian Wells all WTA 1000's as well.
So maybe this is the year she finally wins Madrid Open.
As I said the other day if she had to lose to Rybakina I'd rather it was here indoors then in Rome or Roland Garros.
I'll be ecstatic if she wins another Slam in Paris and nothing else on clay (though I do secretly hope she does well at the Olympics too). Watching her reaction after the loss a few years ago was gut-wrenching.
I will be cheering on Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk tomorrow who has spent a herculean 10 hours on court to reach this final.
Her matches have been the highlight of the tournament for me this year.
Really hope she takes it.
Good effort from Iga this week nonetheless.
Clay season is just beginning, with true clay still to come.
On to the next one.
Jazda!.
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