Elena Rybakina

2023 - 1 - 26

Post cover — Image courtesy of "BBC Sport"

Rybakina beats Azarenka to reach Melbourne final (BBC Sport)

Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina reaches another major final as she beats two-time winner Victoria Azarenka in the Australian Open semi-finals.

That enabled Azarenka to fight back to 5-5 and earn three break points in the 11th game, only for Rybakina to regain her composure to hold and giving her the confidence to take control of the tie-break. Big serving has been one of the keys to her success and it teed up what many expected to be a fascinating contest against 33-year-old Azarenka, whose returning game has been a key to her success. Rybakina was also stuck on a small outside court for her Australian Open first-round match - although she insisted she "did not care" - but since then there has been no escaping the threat she posed in the draw. At the US Open last year, Rybakina said she did not "feel like" a major winner because she was ranked outside of the world's top 20 after points were stripped because of Wimbledon banning Russian and Belarusian players. Rybakina has been one of the most unheralded Wimbledon champions in recent history as a result of her low profile and a lower-than-expected ranking caused by "I got a lot of experience from Wimbledon and I want to come on court [for the final] and enjoy the moment."

Elena Rybakina grinds down Victoria Azarenka to set up Australian ... (The Independent)

Wimbledon champion Rybakina defeated Azarenka 7-6 6-3 while Sabalenka also progressed in straight sets to advance to Saturday's Australian Open final.

In previous years, the sight of the unseeded Magda Linette breaking in the opening game might have caused Sabalenka to wobble and then nosedive. It set the tone for her performance in the second set as Azarenka fell away. Rybakina came into the match with a tournament-high 35 aces and served impressively in the opening stages, but Azarenka’s accurate returns began to ask some testing questions. Rybakina’s ruthless attacks against the Azarenka second serve saw the Belarusian win just two points out of a possible 15 in the second set. The meeting of the two remaining grand slam champions in the draw was billed as a contest of serve against return. Key to Sabalenka’s form has been matching her intimidatingly aggressive game with a clear and calm mentality, qualities Rybakina has already displayed on her run to the Wimbledon title.

Aryna Sabalenka to face Elena Rybakina in Australian Open final ... (Evening Standard)

Britain's Alfie Hewitt is on course for a potential double after reaching the wheelchair singles and doubles finals.

Following his singles success, Hewitt then booked his place in the doubles final with playing partner Gordon Reid following a 6-4, 6-4 win against Daisuke Arai and Takashi Sanada. The world’s no1 player enjoyed a comfortable 6-1, 6-1 victory over Japan’s Takuya Miki to reach his third straight final at Melbourne Park, where he is bidding for his first title. Azarenka’s countrywoman Aryna Sabalenka fared better in her own semi-final against Magda Linette to reach the first Grand Slam showpiece of her career.

Mats Wilander expects Elena Rybakina to make '10 grand slam finals' (Tennis365)

Former world no.1 Mats Wilander has tipped Elena Rybakina to make several more grand slam finals after the Wimbledon champion booked an Australian Open ...

[Australian Open](https://www.tennis365.com/category/australian-open/) [News](https://www.tennis365.com/category/news/) [Tennis News](https://www.tennis365.com/category/tennis-news/) “The first set was always going to be crucial, especially after the break of serve. Maybe this is something they’ve talked about, but personally, I would not like it.” There was always some reaction. “It just wasn’t quite the percentages we’re used to seeing from her. “She’s so calm and mellow throughout, she’s just starting out. “He had his head in his hands every time she missed a ball. [discovery+](https://www.discoveryplus.com/gb/sport/tennis/australian-open?utm_campaign=UK-EU-D1-WBD-C11-PR-CAM-AW-W-Tennis-AustralianOpen-221221-NA&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pr.com&utm_content=text-paid-prcom-id1) and Eurosport

Australian Open: Elena Rybakina defeats Victoria Azarenka to set ... (Sky Sports)

Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina beats Victoria Azarenka to reach her second Grand Slam final at the Australian Open where she will play fifth seed Aryna ...

Eight of the last 10 females to have done so have been No 1 in the world at least once in their careers. Aryna Sabalenka has won the first 10 matches in 2023. I didn't start really well and in the tie-break I found my rhythm, started trusting myself and going for my shots." 3/7 "It's an incredible atmosphere and I'm super happy to be in the finals and play one more time here. For sure I'll try my best, I'll fight, and hopefully I'm going to win."

Elena Rybakina Will Play Aryna Sabalenka in Australian Open ... (The New York Times)

MELBOURNE, Australia — It will be strength against strength and power against power in the Australian Open women's singles final on Saturday.

She has beaten three straight Grand Slam singles champions to reach this final: Iga Swiatek, Jelena Ostapenko and Azarenka, a 33-year-old Belarusian who won the Australian Open in 2012 and 2013. Sabalenka is seeded fifth and Rybakina 22nd, but that does not tell the whole tale. And yet her inconsistency and combustibility have, until now, kept her from reaching the top. But after losing her first three Grand Slam singles semifinals, she is now into her first final. “It was great tennis from me in the tiebreak.” The outcomes were strong. Both have lifted their games to new levels since then. The year’s first Grand Slam event runs from Jan. Rybakina, 23, is a quiet intimidator: her big serves and rolling, deep groundstrokes applying constant pressure. Rybakina is self-contained and difficult to read, maintaining an even keel throughout her matches. In this Australian Open, 16 to Jan.

Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka set stage for big-hitting ... (Messenger Newspapers)

In two similar semi-finals, Wimbledon champion Rybakina saw off Victoria Azarenka 7-6 (4) 6-3 before Sabalenka reached her first grand slam singles final with a ...

She felt the benefit of having been in a semi-final before, saying: “I think because I knew what to expect. I’m proud of myself how I fought and I tried, but tennis-wise I felt like it just wasn’t there, especially in the important moments.” “There is still one more match to go,” said the Belarusian, who is yet to drop a set in 10 matches in 2023. “It’s good that I kind of break through in the semi-finals, but there is one more match to go. I’m super happy to be in the final and ready to give everything I have left in one day.” “I’m happy, at the same time tired,” said Rybakina.

Is the Australian Open women's final on TV? How to watch Elena ... (The Independent)

Both Rybakina and Sabalenka progressed in straight-sets to reach the first grand slam final of the season.

In the clash of two big-hitting players, Sabalenka showed cleaner form and confidence from the baseline in the semi-finals. The device is currently discounted in Sky’s winter sale (was £26 per month, now £24 per month, [Sky.com](https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=12422&id=201309&p=https://www.sky.com/tv/stream)). The action will be broadcast on Eurosport’s TV channels, or fans can tune into “I think as today maybe I will not have to serve that big, that fast. You can watch the Australian Open live on Eurosport in the UK. Is the Australian Open women’s final on TV?

Elena Rybakina reaches Australian Open final with win over Victoria ... (Messenger Newspapers)

The Wimbledon champion claimed a 7-6 (4) 6-3 victory on Rod Laver Arena.

The pattern continued in the second set, with Rybakina punishing Azarenka when she missed her first serve and using her big game to keep her nose in front. For sure I’ll try my best, I’ll fight, and hopefully I’m going to win.” “I’m super happy and proud, with my team also,” said Rybakina.

Aryna Sabalenka books power battle with Elena Rybakina in ... (Times Series)

Sabalenka beat Magda Linette 7-6 (1) 6-2 to reach her first grand slam singles final.

I didn’t start really well and in the tie-break I found my rhythm, started trusting myself and going for my shots.” The Belarusian hit 33 winners and maintained her record of not losing a set through 10 matches so far this season. Aryna Sabalenka will take on Elena Rybakina in a power battle in the final of the Australian Open.

Thursday TV Ratings: Aussies Join Bill Gates In Watching Elena ... (B&T)

Australian viewers joined Microsoft mogul Bill Gates in watching Elena Rybakina triumph over Victoria Azarenka at the Australian Open yesterday.

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Rybakina wins bruising tussle with Azarenka to reach Australian ... (The Guardian)

Elena Rybakina managed the decisive moments and defeated Victoria Azarenka 7-6(4), 6-3 to reach the Australian Open final for the first time.

The consequence of that shift is evident in a run to the final that has been even more impressive than her first. Against Azarenka, the 2012 and 2013 champion, in slower, cold night conditions, she could not summon the level of her previous rounds. She received no respect with court assignments and her low seeding, still outside the top 20 due to the lack of points on offer at Wimbledon, meant she received far more difficult draws than a reigning grand slam champion would otherwise get. She broke serve quickly in the second set after a flurry of Azarenka mistakes and her own serve returned in full. As Rybakina’s greater weight of shot, with the power she generates so easily, met Azarenka’s incessant depth and industriousness, Rybakina moved ahead. Even as both players looked to take the initiative and dominate the baseline, this match was always going to be told in its contrasts.

Wimbledon champion Rybakina advances to Australian Open final (WTA Tennis)

Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina is into her second major final after defeating Victoria Azarenka in the Australian Open semifinals.

A sixth double fault from Azarenka gave Rybakina triple-break point and the Wimbledon champion converted after Azarenka's final shot landed in the net. In the end, I just was playing point by point no matter score. A clean return winner at 5-2, 30-40 gave the 33-year-old one break back, but Rybakina closed out the match on her return. Rybakina kept the sustained pressure on Azarenka's serve, breaking on five of 11 break points. "Not a great feeling right now to digest. Having lost just one set in the tournament, Rybakina proved a formidable frontrunner. But Rybakina broke straight back and settled herself on serve to take a 4-3 lead. As Azarenka's serve began to falter, Rybakina grabbed a second break to lead 5-2. Playing in her first Australian Open semifinal, Rybakina faced a major champion for the third straight match. This time it was Rybakina's turn to withstand the pressure on her serve. MELBOURNE, Australia -- Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina advanced to her second major final, defeating former No.1 Victoria Azarenka 7-6(4), 6-3 on Thursday in the Australian Open semifinals. Azarenka finished with 17 winners and 13 unforced errors.

Elena Rybakina

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