Rybakina defeats opponent, reaches Australian Open final versus Sabalenka

Elena Rybakin – (Web Desk) – Elena Rybakina overcame Jessica Pegula on Thursday to reach the Australian Open final, setting up a rematch of her 2023 title clash against Aryna Sabalenka. The fifth-seeded Kazakh star, aiming for her second Grand Slam, defeated the sixth-seeded American 6-3, 7-6 (9/7) in a tense 1-hour 40-minute battle on Rod Laver Arena, maintaining her unbeaten streak in the tournament.

Rybakina, 26, now faces an all-or-nothing showdown on Saturday against the world number one from Belarus, who denied her the trophy three years ago by coming back from a set down.

“It was such a tough match, especially that second set,” Rybakina said. “I’m really happy I managed to pull through. No matter how tight it got, I stayed focused, fought for every point, and gave it my all.”

A trophy worthy of a smile 😉🏆

Elena Rybakina puts on a masterclass against Aryna Sabalenka 6-0, 6-3 to claim career title No.6 in Brisbane!#BrisbaneTennis pic.twitter.com/cN0OiJ3r8E

— wta (@WTA) January 7, 2024

Moscow-born Rybakina, who defeated second seed Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals, is trying to get back on the Grand Slam title board for the first time in three-and-a-half years after winning Wimbledon in 2022.

She has been in sizzling recent form, beating Sabalenka to win the WTA Finals in Riyadh in November and winning 19 of her last 20 matches.

Dubai-based Rybakina made a statement start, holding to love, then forced a break when a nervy Pegula slapped a backhand into the net.

Pegula started to find her radar and ask more questions in the baseline rallies, but still slid 3-0 behind.

A service hold boosted Pegula’s confidence, but she then failed to win a point in the next game.

She did well to save two break points and cling on at 2-4, but it was delaying the inevitable and Rybakina raced through the set in 32 minutes.

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The writing was on the wall, with the laser-focused Kazakh winning her last 22 matches after taking the first set.

A netted volley from Pegula handed her a break point at 1-1 and a crushing return sealed an early advantage in set two.

An agitated Pegula refocused to break back but Rybakina’s high-powered groundstrokes proved too much for her and she conceded her third break of the match immediately after.

The battling American saved three match points on serve at 3-5 then pulled off a stunning break as the jittery fifth seed was serving for the match.

It was a short-lived comeback, broken once more, but as the crowd got behind her she broke again to take it to a tense tiebreak.

Rybakina kept her cool to reach only her third Grand Slam final.