The Kazakh Elena Rybakina, 25th in the world, as well as winner of Wimbledon on grass last year, and the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka (number 5 in the WTA rankings) will compete on Saturday for the final of the Australian Open, the first tennis major of the season, in Melbourne.
In the semifinal, Rybakina dominated Belarus - two times winner in Melbourne (in 2012 and 2013) - Victoria Azarenka, prevailing with a score of 7-6 (7-4), 6-3;
Sabalenka, on the other hand, scrambled the Polish Magda Linette, defeating her in two sets with a score of 7-6, 6-2.
We are heading towards a match with no predictions, which can reserve various surprises and which will surely give entertainment, emotions, good shots.
"I am very happy and proud to be in the final here in Australia for the first time in my career," said Rybakina, who has never made it past the third round in her three Australian Open appearances so far.
"Today was tough, because the conditions meant that the trajectories of the balls weren't very fast," explained the 23-year-old.
In fact, her serve - which is her sharpest weapon - did not allow her to crush her opponent in the shortest possible time.
During the first set, the two players exchanged two service games: at 5-3, Rybakina had a set-point available, but the Belarusian managed the break, to then get back to 5-5.
At that point, Azarenka got three consecutive break points, but Rybakina pocketed 5 points in a row,
taking the lead 6-5.
However, she couldn't stop Azarenka from taking the set to a tiebreak.
The Russian-born Kazakh then pulled away 6-4 and took advantage of a double fault by her opponent to win the set.
She then hit a double break to lead 5-2 and serve for the match, although she couldn't finish the practice straight away.
Rybakina will approach the final on the strength of her experience at Wimbledon last year.
"Now I have more experience, I just want to go out and have fun. We'll see how it goes: I'll fight, do my best and hope to win," she said.
She will have to suffer, however, against an opponent who appeared in great shape and determined who, in 2021, reached the final in Melbourne, but in the doubles tournament.
Paired with the Belgian Elise Mertens she won the title, defeating the two Czech Barbora Krejčíková and Kateřina Siniaková in the final with a score of 6-2, 6-3.
"
I had more and more confidence in my shots after finding the rhythm especially on a mental level.
Today I took it easy at serve (laughs, ed).
I played the final in 2021, in the doubles tournament, and I won it: if this can help me better face Saturday's challenge?
Living the atmosphere of that final was important for me;
yes, I hope you help me on Saturday too.
If it were up to me, I'd take the field again tomorrow.
My opponent is playing very well, I can't wait to face her, she has already won a Grand Slam and it will be a battle". Tomorrow, however, the men's semifinals will take place: first it will be the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas against the Russian Karen Khachanov, then Serbian Novak Djokovic will challenge American Tommy Paul.
Today I took it easy at serve (laughs, ed).
I played the final in 2021, in the doubles tournament, and I won it: if this can help me better face Saturday's challenge?
Living the atmosphere of that final was important for me;
yes, I hope you help me on Saturday too.
If it were up to me, I'd take the field again tomorrow.
My opponent is playing very well, I can't wait to face her, she has already won a Grand Slam and it will be a battle". Tomorrow, however, the men's semifinals will take place: first it will be the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas against the Russian Karen Khachanov, then Serbian Novak Djokovic will challenge American Tommy Paul.
Today I took it easy at serve (laughs, ed).
I played the final in 2021, in the doubles tournament, and I won it: if this can help me better face Saturday's challenge?
Living the atmosphere of that final was important for me;
yes, I hope you help me on Saturday too.
If it were up to me, I'd take the field again tomorrow.
My opponent is playing very well, I can't wait to face her, she has already won a Grand Slam and it will be a battle". Tomorrow, however, the men's semifinals will take place: first it will be the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas against the Russian Karen Khachanov, then Serbian Novak Djokovic will challenge American Tommy Paul.
atmosphere of that final was important to me;
yes, I hope you help me on Saturday too.
If it were up to me, I'd take the field again tomorrow.
My opponent is playing very well, I can't wait to face her, she has already won a Grand Slam and it will be a battle". Tomorrow, however, the men's semifinals will take place: first it will be the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas against the Russian Karen Khachanov, then Serbian Novak Djokovic will challenge American Tommy Paul.
atmosphere of that final was important to me;
yes, I hope you help me on Saturday too.
If it were up to me, I'd take the field again tomorrow.
My opponent is playing very well, I can't wait to face her, she has already won a Grand Slam and it will be a battle". Tomorrow, however, the men's semifinals will take place: first it will be the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas against the Russian Karen Khachanov, then Serbian Novak Djokovic will challenge American Tommy Paul.