New Delhi, 17 April (H.S.): Muchova Mounts Comeback

Top seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and world No. 3 Coco Gauff powered into the quarterfinals of the Stuttgart Open 2026 on Friday, showcasing clay-court prowess at the prestigious indoor event in Germany.

Rybakina dispatched Russia's Diana Shnaider 6-2, 6-4 in 1 hour and 12 minutes, leveraging a dominant service game capped by her ninth ace, despite Shnaider's improved second-set resistance undermined by crucial double faults.

Gauff, the reigning French Open champion, overcame a tentative start to dismantle Liudmila Samsonova 7-5, 6-1, setting up an anticipated clash with Czech Karolina Muchova. Muchova herself staged a stirring comeback, rallying from a set down to thrash Elise Mertens 1-6, 6-3, 6-0. Gauff credited 14-time Roland Garros king Rafael Nadal for inspiring her forehand aggression on clay, quipping, Rafa is clay's greatest; I try to channel his forehand magic.

Rybakina next faces Leylah Fernandez or Zeynep Sonmez, as the tournament's elite bracket intensifies on the red dirt.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar