The numbers tell the story, and Elena Rybakina's 2026 numbers are remarkable. With a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Alexandra Eala in the second round of Rome, the Kazakh secured her 29th win of the season, the best mark on the WTA Tour.
It is not just the win total that stands out. Rybakina has become the first player to surpass 900 winners in a single season, with 925 and counting. Against Eala, her forehand was the primary weapon: 13 of her 17 first-set winners came off that side. She finished with 28 winners overall, an attacking display that encapsulates her playing style.
What truly separates Rybakina's 2026 season is her consistency at the highest level. The world No.2 is the only player to reach the Round of 16 at all six WTA 1000 events this year. From Doha to Indian Wells, Miami to Madrid, and now Rome, she has shown up at every major appointment.
Her game relies on a simple but devastating formula: one of the most powerful serves on tour, a forehand that can dictate any rally, and a growing confidence that makes her dangerous in every match. Since her Wimbledon title in 2022, Rybakina has steadily built a resume that places her among the favorites at every tournament she enters.
In Rome, she will face the winner of Pliskova versus Siegemund in the fourth round, holding a combined 11-1 record against both potential opponents. A deep run at the Foro Italico looks very much within reach, three weeks before Roland Garros.
