Elena-Gabriela Ruse vs Elena Rybakina Preview & Prediction | 2026 Madrid Open | Second Round

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Elena Rybakina takes on Elena-Gabriela Ruse in Madrid. 

Ranking points: WTA 1000

Start date/time:

Venue: Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain 

Surface: Outdoor clay

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports Tennis / USA – Tennis Channel

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Tennis Channel

Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Elena-Gabriela Ruse vs Elena Rybakina ticket information

Elena-Gabriela Ruse vs Elena Rybakina prediction

Elena-Gabriela Ruse outlasted Antonia Ruzic in three sets as she progressed to the second-round in Madrid. Ruse looked on course for a comfortable win as she took the first set and broke to go 2-0 up in the second. However, she was then broken on three separate occasions as Ruzic levelled the match. Ruse refocused to claim a 6-3 4-6 6-0 victory after two hours and two minutes. The Romanian is in form at the moment, having reached the semi-finals of the Linz Open in her last event.

However, she now faces world number two Elena Rybakina. The two-time Grand Slam champion notched up her second title of the season in Stuttgart last week, defeating Karolina Muchova in the final. She has won 25 of her 30 matches in 2026 so far.

Rybakina leads the head-to-head 2-0 but this is their first match on clay. The Kazakhstani is an overwhelming favourite to win, but Ruse will take some confidence from her recent performances and will look to frustrate in the opening games. 

Elena-Gabriela Ruse vs Elena Rybakina tip: Over 17.5 games