Elena Rybakina predicted to 'make 10 Grand Slam finals' by Mats Wilander after Australian Open run
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Updated 26/01/2023 at 11:45 GMT
Elena Rybakina has backed up her 2022 Wimbledon victory by reaching the final of the 2023 Australian Open. The 23-year-old beat two-time champion Victoria Azarenka in straight sets and Eurosport experts Mats Wilander and Laura Robson both predicted afterwards that Rybakina would reach many more major finals in her career. Rybakina will face either Magda Linette or Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
'She's going to make 10 Slam finals' - Eurosport analysis of Rybakina's victory
Mats Wilander has backed Elena Rybakina to make “10 Grand Slam finals” after she beat Victoria Azarenka to reach the final of the Australian Open.
Rybakina, 23, beat two-time champion Azarenka in straight sets to set up a meeting with either Magda Linette or Aryna Sabalenka. Rybakina is looking to win her second major after victory at Wimbledon last summer.
She has only dropped one set so far in Melbourne behind a powerful game and big serve, which has fired down a tournament-leading 44 aces.
“It’s huge now, but in five years it’s not huge, because she’s going to make 10 Grand Slam finals with that kind of game and personality,” said Eurosport expert Wilander.
“She’s so calm and mellow throughout, she’s just starting out. The tournament isn’t over, it’s the semi-finals, and the goal is to win the tournament and win many more of these.”
Rybakina edged a tight first set against Azarenka, crucially holding serve from 0-40 down at 5-5 and then winning a tie-breaker.
She ran away with the second set as she broke three times to seal victory.
“I thought her forehand and first serve were off tonight,” said Eurosport expert Laura Robson.
“It just wasn’t quite the percentages we’re used to seeing from her. But if that’s her on a bad day, that’s a really good sign, to come through in straight sets against Azarenka, who was giving it everything.
“This is going to be one of many Grand Slam finals for Rybakina.”
Eurosport expert Tim Henman added: “On Rybakina’s personality, she doesn’t panic, playing point after point with a clear mindset.
“The first set was always going to be crucial, especially after the break of serve. Rybakina’s power and athleticism from the back of the court wore Azarenka down.”
Rybakina is coached by Stefano Vukov, who was seen in her box during the semi-final shaking his head and trying to get advice across to his player.
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'I was kind of expecting good results' - Rybakina tells Eurosport after reaching final
Robson said the interactions seemed "negative" but looked like they worked out for Rybakina.
“I don’t know how she deals with her coach, because he seems so negative on the side, but that must be how they communicate,” said Robson.
“Obviously it worked, because she was able to make some changes during the match.
“He had his head in his hands every time she missed a ball. There was always some reaction. Maybe she doesn’t see it, but I thought it was really obvious.
“I saw an interview he did where he said from the side, he’s looking to give her a lot of energy, but he didn’t specify what kind of energy. Maybe this is something they’ve talked about, but personally, I would not like it.”
The women’s final takes place on Rod Laver Arena on Saturday.
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