'I can do it again' - Elena Rybakina says Wimbledon triumph can push her to Australian Open glory
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 26/01/2023 at 14:23 GMT
Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina believes that if she has won a Grand Slam title once, she can do it again, after sealing a place in the Australian Open final. The 22nd seed defeated Victoria Azarenka in two sets to set up a clash with Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday's showcase match. It will be the second major final of Rybakina's career after her surprise triumph at Wimbledon in 2022.
'I'm calm on outside but super nervous inside' - Rybakina tells Eurosport after reaching final
Elena Rybakina is confident she can repeat her Grand Slam heroics from Wimbledon last year by beating Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday’s Australian Open final.
The 22nd seed defeated Victoria Azarenka in straight sets in Thursday’s semi-final to put her on the brink of a second major title in six months.
Rybakina was a surprise champion at Wimbledon in 2022 and now must overcome fifth seed Sabalenka, who beat Magda Linette in two sets, to clinch her second career Slam.
“We prepared well for this. I was expecting good results, and my peak form came out at the Australian Open,” Rybakina said when speaking in Eurosport’s Cube.
“I’m calm on the outside, but on the inside, I’m nervous. I’m trying not to show my emotions, and it’s not easy.
“In the beginning at Wimbledon, the atmosphere made me nervous. Now, it’s time to enjoy [myself]. I’ve done really well here and go in with no expectations and do my best. I’m confident that I’ve done it once, and I [can do it] again.
“Aryna is going to be a really tough opponent. I’m glad that I played at the same time today as the final will be so I can get used to the conditions. I know what to expect. My serve should be working well. I’m looking forward to it.”
Rybakina reached her first Australian Open final with a 7-6(4) 6-3 win over former champion Azarenka that continued an impressive run.
She has now defeated three former Grand Slam winners on her way to the final, getting past Iga Swiatek, Jelena Ostapenko and Azarenka.
However, she had to battle for the victory during an imperfect performance in which she was broken twice in the opening set and once in the second while serving for the mach.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2023/01/26/3535749-72062148-2560-1440.png)
Rybakina battles past Azarenka to reach final - Australian Open highlights
“It wasn’t easy today with different conditions compared to the daytime, as it was much slower,” Rybakina said in an interview with Eurosport.
“I couldn’t really adapt and manipulate the ball as much. On the serve, my speed was not the same. It was tough, especially against Vika.
She added: “It was a case of relaxing more. It’s good that I know [how to handle big matches], especially for the final, where I’m going to be prepared in all aspects. In the end, I handled the emotions, which was pleasing.”
- - -
Stream the 2023 Australian Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.co.uk
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/geo/country/flag/large/2236.png)
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/geo/country/flag/large/4387.png)