(Melbourne) Aryna Sabalenka remained unbeaten in 2023 after easily beating Poland’s Magda Linette 7-6(1), 6-2 in the Australian Open semi-final on Thursday.
Sabalenka, the tournament’s fifth seed, was 9-0 this year ahead of her match against Linette, who had advanced to the semi-finals of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in 30 attempts.
“I really found my rhythm in the tiebreaker (in the first set), Sabalenka said. I regained my confidence. And I started to find my arsenal. »
In Saturday’s final, the Belarus player will meet Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, who advanced to a second final in three Grand Slam tournaments after beating Victoria Azarenka 7-6 (4), 6-3 in the another semi-final.
“I’m ready to give everything I have left,” said Rybakina confidently.
The latter has added another hunting trophy to her already well-stocked collection. Azarenka, the champion at Melbourne Park in 2012 and 2013, joined a sad list of players who have bowed out to Rybakina for two weeks. This list notably includes the world No. 1 Iga Swiatek and the 17e seed Jelena Ostapenko — they are both major title holders — as well as last year’s Australian Open runner-up Danielle Collins.
As usual, Rybakina relied on her powerful serve, which at times reached 189 km/h and allowed her to register nine aces—bringing her total for the tournament to 44. She also exploited her powerful forehands to conclude the points as he pleases. Her performance in the semi-finals was particularly spectacular against a player with a reputation for being an excellent returner and being tough from the bottom of the court.
“For sure I got a lot of experience at Wimbledon and to be honest I just want to be on the court and enjoy the moment, the atmosphere,” Rybakina said of the championship match. of Saturday.
Rybakina is only 23, which means she is 10 years younger than Azarenka, and her future looks bright.
“Everything was new at Wimbledon,” admitted Rybakina. I now know a little more what to expect. »
PHOTO AARON FAVILA, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Elena Rybakina
Rybakina is only the 22e seeded in Melbourne, and she is the 25e world-ranked player, but these numbers are misleading and do not represent her true potential. She didn’t get the usual boost given to the Wimbledon champions after their triumph last July, as the All England Club decided not to award any points to players representing Russia and Belarus due to the invasion. from Ukraine.
Rybakina was born in Moscow, but she has represented Kazakhstan on the international scene since 2018 when the country offered to fund her sports career.
Like the first set, the tiebreaker was marked by numerous errors on both sides. Azarenka eventually dispatched a return off the lines after an 11-hit rally and Rybakina ran away with the first set.
She then broke it at zero to take the lead 2-1 in the second set, and although they continued to struggle for 25 minutes, the outcome of the set was in no doubt.
Admittedly, Rybakina once again ran into trouble with the wind as she served for the match at 5-2. But no one expected Azarenka to drop the flag so easily. After a final break, facilitated by a double fault from Azarenka, Rybakina was able to get a little closer to the precious Australian trophy.
“It’s hard to digest, admitted Azarenka, disappointed. Especially since I got a few opportunities (over the course of the match). »