Rybakina sees off Halep in straight sets to take her place in the single’s final on Saturday

By Paul Lagan on Centre Court, Wimbledon

Rybakina v Halep
6-3, 6-3

Elena Rybianka saw off the challenge of Simona Halep 6-3, 6-3 to set up a Wimbledon women’s singles final, on Saturday against the hard-hitting Tunisian Ona Jabeur who won her semi earlier against Tatjana Maria by two sets to one.

Of her victory, Rybakina said: “I can’t believe it. She is a great champion. I am very happy with my performance, I was really solid gains a great champion.

“I was nervous but I played  on Court 1 before which helped me.

Today, I was mentality prepared.

“The final will be a great match it won’t be easy to play Jabeur, with her counters and drop shots.

It’s time to enjoy and have fun on the court.”

Rybakina, the Moscow-born Kazakhstan players raced to a three love lead as the second women’s semi-final stared to a third full Centre Court.

The Romanian Simona Halep rallied in the fourth, punching some very deep double backhand drives which finally caught Rybakina out.

The grunting by Halep echoed round the court, while Rybakina was as quiet as a mouse yet highly effective with the ball. 

Her powerful forearm drive to the baseline a particular weapon, that Halep struggled to cope with and she moved on to 5-2 lead. leaving Halep serving to save the set. Serves were won, leaving Rybakina the task of seeing her game out – which he did.

A tight opening game by Halep was fraught with mistakes and excellent winners.

But the die fell in the favour of the 17th seed Rybakina who broke the 16th seed.

Rybakina moved into a commanding position in the second set, going two love up, before Halep showed some residence to hold her serve.

Halep took confidence from the service win, and started to be more aggressive, while Rybakina appeared to go into her shell.

Perhaps the thought of a Wimbledon final was becoming a distraction. she lost her serve to bring the set back to 2-2.

Both players seemed to be letting the occasion get to them and Halep blew her chance in the set – double-faulting at break point.

Rybakina cooly saw her service game to 15 to go 4-2 up.

Soon it was 3-5 and Halep desperate to stay in the game. A strong first serve, put her 40-15 up, before she choked to hit a simple drive into the net. A double fault brought up the deuce and  the crowed sensed that match was close to ending. Shooting wide of the tram line, gave Rybakina match point. A straight winner on a service return was enough to put her into Saturday’s final.