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Elena Rybakina required a medical timeout due to a pretty unfortunate but also bizarre reason after hitting herself with the racket against Iga Swiatek in the Doha final.
Leading 4-1 in the first set and serving for a 5-1 lead, Rybakina hit herself in the leg as she was finishing her serve. Since there was a cut and a little bit of blood, Rybakina required a medical timeout to get it fixed. The match was stopped mid-game and continued only after Rybakina received medical assistance.
Here is how it looked:
Elena Rybakina received a medical timeout in the Doha final against Iga Swiatek
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) February 17, 2024
She hit her shin/leg area with her racquet when she was finishing her serve & is bleeding a bit.
Ouch. 🤕 pic.twitter.com/LgkkMpOxm1
Rybakina lost the next four games after the unfortunate incident
In the fifth game - the game in which Rybakina hit herself below the knee - the Kazakh had 30/15 on her serve before losing the next three points as Swiatek managed to get one break back. After losing one of her two early breaks, Rybakina had a chance to again go up by a double break in the sixth game but missed out on a break point as Swiatek managed to further cut the deficit to 3-4.
In the next two games, Swiatek's run continued as the Pole also got the second break back in the eighth game before saving a break point in the ninth game to take a 5-4 lead.
Just when it seemed the whole momentum was on Swiatek's side, Rybakina served out the 10th game and broke the Pole in the 11th game for a 6-5. But then, Rybakina failed to serve out for the first set as Swiatek managed to get the break back and force a tie-break.
In the first-set tie-break, Swiatek earned two consecutive set points after taking a 6-4 lead - but didn't convert as Rybakina responded by winning the next three points to take a 7-6 lead and clinch her first set point. Swiatek saved Rybakina's set point but also missed out on her third set point at 8-7.
But Swiatek was able to keep her focus and earn her fourth set point at 9-8 and convert it to win a very tight opener against Rybakina.
Currently, the start of the second set is underway in the Swiatek and Rybakina match.