Fri Jun 20 14:20:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**Rybakina Celebrates Birthday with Berlin Open Victory After Opponent Shake-Up**

**BERLIN, GERMANY** – Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, celebrated her 26th birthday in style with a hard-fought victory at the Berlin Tennis Open today. A last-minute withdrawal by No. 5 seed Zheng Qinwen due to a neck injury forced a change in Rybakina’s opponent, pitting her against lucky loser Krueger.

Despite having lost to Krueger earlier this year, Rybakina showed resilience and determination, securing a 6-3, 7-6(3) win in 1 hour and 36 minutes on the German grass. After saving two break points early in the first set, Rybakina dominated, surging to a 4-0 lead. The second set proved more challenging, with Krueger leveling the score after an early deficit and maintaining pressure on Rybakina. However, Rybakina maintained focus, winning four consecutive points in the tiebreak to clinch the match.

“It was a really tough match, especially the second set,” Rybakina said after her win. “It was very close and I had some chances, didn’t take them, but I’m happy with how I played the tiebreak. It was a good present for myself!”

Rybakina’s victory was not the only notable match of the day. Diana Shnaider defeated Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-4 in their third career meeting, avenging her loss at the Australian Open earlier this year.

Rybakina will now face Czech Katerina Siniakova in the next round, while Shnaider is set to compete against former Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova, who upset No. 7 seed Madison Keys.

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