Ashlyn Krueger, also known as “Baby Rybakina” by her prowess-enjoying fans, made big news herself with a stunning upset of #8 ranked Elena Rybakina. She accomplished this feat in the thrilling second round of the Miami Open. That gave Krueger her first career victory against a top-10 opponent as she closed out the match with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 win. This stunning victory highlighted her status as a rising star on the international tennis stage.
Krueger’s nickname comes from her style of play and physical resemblance to Rybakina, another legendary Kazakhstani who made waves at the 2023 Australian Open. Both athletes are known for their physical stature, deathly serves, and strong smashes on the court. These overall attributes combined have made a lot of people compare the two athletes. They tend to see Krueger as the younger, punky alternative to the more-established Rybakina.
Krueger made her case to prove her worth with a strong outing throughout the contest. Her touch matched the firepower and pinpoint accuracy that are Rybakina’s hallmarks. Her sheer poise under pressure and great shot execution enabled the second-year pro to defeat the 29-year-old veteran. Krueger’s win is undoubtedly a huge step forward at this point in his career. It points to her enormous potential to continue climbing the ranks in professional tennis.
“I was definitely playing well today, and maybe she wasn’t playing her peak great tennis,” said Coco Gauff, reflecting on the competitive nature of the tournament.
Rybakina—who has gained a reputation for intimidating most of her opponents off the court—found ways to simply respond to Krueger’s power. Even after winning a thrilling second-set tiebreak, Rybakina lacked the firepower to keep pace with Krueger’s valiant effort. Krueger’s victory is yet further evidence of her development and versatility in the face of elite competition.
“I don’t think anyone who is playing their best tennis will have that scoreline today, so I’m not going to sit here and say she played her best tennis,” added Coco Gauff.
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