© Getty Images Sport – Kelly Defina
Elena Rybakina has received one of the most difficult projected paths to winning a title that a top-seeded player could get as the Kazakh’s run to the Abu Dhabi Open title could include playing a Grand Slam champion or finalist in every round.
Rybakina, ranked at No. 5 in the world, earned the No. 1 seed nod in Abu Dhabi and she will have a first-round bye at the tournament. After a first-round bye, Rybakina is projected to meet four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, who faces qualifier Danielle Collins in the first round.
In the Abu Dhabi quarterfinal, Rybakina is projected to meet No. 5 seed and 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko. For a place in the Abu Dhabi final, Rybakina could potentially meet 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova, who is the fourth-seeded player in the top half of the draw.
When it comes to the Abu Dhabi final, the projected matchup sees Rybakina taking on No. 2 seed and three-time Grand Slam finalist Ons Jabeur. In 2022, Rybakina became a Grand Slam champion after beating Jabeur in the Wimbledon final.
Rybakina aims her first Abu Dhabi title
In Abu Dhabi, 24-year-old Rybakina is set for her third…
