Wimbledon: Rybakina reaches quarter-finals as Kalinskaya retires

Fourth seed Rybakina was in complete control of the fourth-round match on Centre Court, leading 6-3 3-0 before Kalinskaya had to call time on the contest after 53 minutes of play, halting what had been her best career run at the tournament.

"Definitely not the way I wanted to finish the match," said Rybakina after her win.

"Anna is a great player. I know she was suffering with a couple of injuries and, if it is the wrist, it is of course very difficult to continue playing. I just wish her a speedy recovery."

Rybakina had also won the last contest between the two players – in Rome last year – due to a retirement from Kalinskaya.

With a strong grass-court record and as one of only two players seeded in the top 10 left in the women's singles tournament, Rybakina is seen as the favourite and player to beat in the second week. She will face either Elina Svitolina next.

90 - Elena Rybakina (90%, 18-2) is now one of three players in the Open Era to hold a winning percentage of 90% or higher in the Women’s Singles at Wimbledon, along with Ann Jones (92.3%, 12-1) and Steffi Graf (91.4%, 74-7). Cozy.#Wimbledon | @Wimbledon @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/mEYyVvD86J

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) July 8, 2024

With a remarkable 18-2 match record at Wimbledon, Rybakina is now one of just three players in the Open Era to hold a win percentage of 90% or higher in the women’s singles.

The other two players are, like Rybakina, former Wimbledon champions: Ann Jones (12-1) and Steffi Graf (74-7).

While Rybakina thrives on grass, she has also impressed on other surfaces and she has now reached the quarter-final or better in 11 of her 12 tournaments played this season.