Wimbledon 2022: Elena Rybakina Beats Simona Halep To Reach Maiden Grand Slam Final

Wimbledon 2022: Elena Rybakina beat Simona Halep 6-3, 6-3 in the Wimbledon semi-final to reach her maiden Grand Slam final on Thursday.

Russian-born Elena Rybakina overpowered former champion Simona Halep 6-3, 6-3 on Thursday to set up a Wimbledon final against Ons Jabeur. Rybakina, who represents Kazakhstan, broke the 2019 champion four times in the match in a dominant display on Centre Court. "It was really good, today I was mentally prepared and did everything I could and it was an amazing match," she said.

"I think it's going to be a great match (against Jabeur). She's a great player, very tricky player. It's not going to be easy to play against her drop shots and volleys."

Former world number one Halep had not lost a set coming into Thursday's match but was immediately under pressure against the big-serving 17th seed.

Rybakina, who stands six feet (1.84 metres) tall, raced into a 3-0 lead with an early break of serve and had break points in all of Halep's service games in the first set.

Romania's Halep, seeded one place above her opponent, did well to stay in touch but failed to carve out any break points of her own in the first set.