Elena Rybakina had to do things the hard way again at the Madrid Open, coming from a set down to beat Zheng Qinwen in three sets to reach the fourth round.

Just like in her first match in the Spanish capital, Rybakina fell behind early, but she triumphed 4-6 6-4 6-3 in two hours and 23 minutes.

While Rybakina got the match underway with a love-hold, her strong serving wavered in the fifth game as Zheng got the vital break to take a 3-2 lead, converting the only break point of the first set.

The pair started the second by trading breaks, with Rybakina immediately cancelling out Zheng's advantage, and the Olympic gold medallist had to fend off three more break points to pull level at 3-3.

However, Rybakina forced a decider on her second set point to keep the match alive.

The Kazakh fended off three break points early in the third set before the pair again traded breaks, though Rybakina had the advantage at 4-2 and held onto it to convert her second match point.

Three Set Thriller 

Elena Rybakina overcomes Zheng in three sets to move into the Round of 16!#MMOpen pic.twitter.com/GxG0hPLOqB

— wta (@WTA) April 26, 2026

She followed Marta Kostyuk into the fourth round, after the Ukrainian stunned Jessica Pegula in straight sets earlier on Sunday.

Kostyuk claimed a 6-1 6-4 victory over the American, showing her mettle as she saved 10 of the 11 break points she faced.

Pegula attempted a late fightback, but it was too little, too late as she crashed out of the tournament.

Data Debrief: Paving the way

Rybakina has claimed the most wins in 2026, including ATP-level matches (27, surpassing Jannik Sinner with 26).

She is also the only player able to reach the round of 16 at each of the first five WTA-1000 events this season (Doha, Dubai, Indian Wells, Miami and Madrid).

Since the start of last year's Madrid Open, Rybakina has claimed the most wins in WTA-level events (69).