Elena Rybakina is enjoying a remarkable season, leading the WTA tour in aces and showcasing her talents as she advances to the quarterfinals of the 2025 Queen’s Club Championship. The fourth-seeded player achieved a commanding victory against local favorite Heather Watson, recording an impressive 32 winners in her opening match.
Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has demonstrated her prowess on grass courts, marking her sixth appearance in grass-court quarterfinals this year, including three at Wimbledon. Her performance has been impressive, highlighted by a strong fourth-round showing at Roland Garros where she nearly defeated top-seed Iga Swiatek. Rybakina also claimed the title in Strasbourg and reached the quarterfinals in both singles and doubles at Queen’s Club, although her doubles campaign concluded with a straight-set loss.
In the quarterfinals, Rybakina will face Germany’s Tatjana Maria, who has turned her fortunes around after a nine-match losing streak, clinching four consecutive victories to reach her first-ever WTA 500 quarterfinal. Maria achieved an upset over Karolina Muchova in the round of 16 and boasts an impressive grass-court record, having a 3-0 standing in quarterfinals, including a semifinal showing in 2022. Her career record on grass stands at 72-37, making her a formidable opponent despite her recent struggles.
In their previous encounter at Beijing in 2023, Rybakina outperformed Maria with a decisive 7-5, 6-0 victory. Comparing both players, Rybakina holds a considerably higher ranking (11) compared to Maria (81) and has a strong career win-loss record.
The upcoming match is expected to highlight the contrast between Rybakina’s current form and Maria’s veteran experience. While Rybakina possesses the skills and mental fortitude to excel on grass courts, Maria’s recent resurgence adds intrigue to the contest, making it a compelling matchup.
Expectations are high for Rybakina to continue her winning streak in the quarterfinals, with many predictions favoring her to achieve victory in straight sets against Maria. Betting odds reflect this sentiment, positioning Rybakina as a clear favorite.
This matchup serves not just as a test of Rybakina’s talent but also as a testament to the unpredictability of tennis, where past performance and current momentum can create exciting outcomes.