Rybakina vs Tauson

Rybakina vs Tauson – Wimbledon R3 Preview

🧠 Form & Context

Elena Rybakina

• 🌱 Consistent Wimbledon contender: Champion in 2022, semifinalist in 2024, quarterfinalist in 2023. She’s never failed to reach the second week at SW19.
• 🔥 In strong form: Dismantled Avanesyan (6-2, 6-1) and Sakkari (6-3, 6-1) in her opening rounds.
• 📈 Title in Strasbourg: This year and regularly goes deep at majors.
• 🧠 Slam experience: Owns a 9-4 record in Slam third rounds and thrives in big stages.
• 💪 Grass comfort: 38–13 career record on the surface, with her aggressive first-strike game perfectly suited to these conditions.

Clara Tauson

• 🚨 Turning a corner at Wimbledon: Previously 0-3 in main-draw R1s here, she’s now through to the third round for the first time.
• 💪 Gritty wins: Came from behind to beat Watson, then saved set points against Kalinskaya.
• 📉 Post-Dubai inconsistency: Has not won more than two matches in a row since her runner-up showing in February.
• 😬 Slam struggles: Just 1-4 in Grand Slam third rounds.
• 🔁 H2H: Down 0-2 to Rybakina and both matches required extra effort—on more favorable surfaces.

🔍 Match Breakdown

• Serve & Return Dynamics: Rybakina’s first serve is elite. Tauson may struggle just to win points on return.
• Baseline Power: Rybakina hits flatter and heavier. Tauson can’t match her tempo in crosscourt exchanges.
• Mental & Physical Edge: Elena’s calm demeanor and deep Slam experience contrast with Clara’s limited major resume.
• Grass Advantage: Tauson’s ball sits up on this surface, while Rybakina’s low, flat groundstrokes are punishing.
• Momentum: Unless Rybakina drops her level dramatically, this should be a one-way traffic kind of match.

🔮 Prediction

Clara Tauson has exceeded expectations by reaching this stage, but she’s now up against a proven Grand Slam performer in peak rhythm. Rybakina’s combination of serve, power, and grass-court instincts should be too much for the Dane.

Prediction: Rybakina in 2 sets – something like 6-3, 6-2 feels likely.