Elena Rybakina shows class after beating Elina Svitolina in front of Queen at Wimbledon

Elena Rybakina ended Elina Svitolina’s emotional run at Wimbledon in ruthless style in front of the Queen then showed her class by labelling the Ukrainian a “fighter” despite the one-sided scoreline.

Tte Russian-born Kazakh is now the hot to win a second title at the All England Club.

Svitolina wore a black ribbon during her fourth round win to mourn the victims of a Russian missile attack on a children’s hospital in Kyiv.

And the former world No.3 said she was motivated to play well to publicise the atrocities in her country - and bring some needed cheer back home.

But the 2022 Wimbledon champion - and her big serve - proved too much for Svitolina in the first match on Centre Court. Rybakina won 6-3 6-2 in only 61 minutes to mean she has now won 19 out of 21 matches she has ever played at Wimbledon.

Rybakina said: “I am really pleased with the way I played today. It is always tough to play against Elina. She is a fighter. Despite the score, it was not easy.”

Asked if she was like other players who did not like to be favourite, she added: “I also don’t like it. Of course I want to go to the end. For now, I am happy with the way I am going and I am looking forward to the next one.”

Only Ann Jones (12-1) and Steffi Graf (74-7) have better winning percentages in the history of the ladies singles here in the Open Era.

Rybakina is the only player left in the women’s draw who has reached the final before - and French Open finalist Jasmine Paolini is the only other top-ten player left in London.

She took her aces total in the tournament to 31 with another six yesterday - and won all 11 points on her first serve in the second set. From 3-3 in the first set, it was no contest and se will take some stopping here.

Svitolina did not want the ban on Russian and Belarussian players at Wimbledon ended last year - and she still refuses to shake the hands of opponents from the two countries.

Rybakina was born in Moscow but now represents Kazakhstan. “She changed her nationality, so it means she doesn't want to represent her original country, so it works,” said Svitolina before the match.

Rybakina is a slow starter and was broken in her opening service game when she slapped a backhand into the net. It was not to happen again.

The 2022 champion here broke back immediately and again in the eight game and took her second set point with an ace after 31 minutes.

Rybakina won five straight games to led 2-0 before Svitolina got on the board in the second set. But the Kazakh broke for a fourth and final time to serve for the match at 5-2 and she took her first match point with her seventh ace.