Elena Rybakina powers past Victoria Azarenka to reach first Australian Open final
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ByEurosport
Updated 26/01/2023 at 11:26 GMT
The first semi-final of the 2023 Australian Open went the way of Elena Rybakina, who overcame two-time champion Victoria Azarenka in straight sets. After a close first set was decided on a tie-break, the 2022 Wimbledon champion took control of the second to advance. Rybakina will face either Aryna Sabalenka or Magda Linette in Saturday's women's singles final.
Rybakina hits a huge forehand winner that leaves Azarenka reeling
Elena Rybakina is into her first Australian Open final after beating Victoria Azarenka in straight sets.
Azarenka, going for her third title in Melbourne, secured the first break of the match in the fifth game, but Wimbledon champion Rybakina responded instantly, winning three games in a row to serve for the set.
Azarenka battled back to level things up at 5-5, but then failed to break from 0-40 and Rybakina took the set in a tie-breaker.
After Rybakina secured a double break in the second, the writing was on the wall, and the 23-year-old sealed a 7-6(4) 6-3 victory to book a meeting with either Aryna Sabalenka or Magda Linette in Saturday's final.
“I’m very happy and proud," said the 22nd seed.
“It wasn’t easy today with different conditions compared to the daytime, as it was much slower. 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.
“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.”
The result ensures there will be a first-time women's winner of the Australian Open.
Rybakina has been hugely impressive in Melbourne as she looks to back up her Wimbledon victory last summer with a second Grand Slam title.
She has only dropped one set so far and has been the best server in the women's draw, adding another nine aces to her tournament-leading total against Azarenka and winning 76% of points behind her strong first serve.
Although she started the semi-final in ominous fashion with a double fault, she quickly settled and leaned on her serve to hold without dropping another point.
Azarenka managed to get the first breakthrough after an excellent fifth game, but the advantage did not last long, Rybakina breaking straight back and then racing through a love hold to move 4-3 ahead.
Rybakina looked to be growing in confidence and finding her range as she broke again, taking her tally to 15 winners in eight games.
Two-time champion Azarenka responded impressively, saving a set point in the next game with a brilliant forehand pass down the line and then shouting “let’s go” after breaking back.
Azarenka looked to be heading towards taking the opening set as she moved 0-40 ahead in Rybakina’s next service game at 5-5.
But in perhaps the key moment of the set, the Wimbledon champion proved resilient and held.
Rybakina then moved 5-2 ahead in the tie-breaker and took the set when Azarenka went wide with a forehand.
Rybakina took the momentum gained from winning the set and ran with it.
She broke in the third game of the second set after a backhand return winner was followed by three successive errors from Azarenka.
Although Rybakina could not convert further break points in the fifth game, her advantage grew to 5-2 when Azarenka double-faulted twice and then dragged a forehand out of court.
Rybakina faltered when serving for match, but quickly regathered herself to win the next game and clinch her place in the final.
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