Tennis: Wimbledon champion Rybakina to face Sabalenka in Australian Open final

MELBOURNE – Six months ago, Elena Rybakina broke down in her press conference after winning the Wimbledon title, admitting that she did not know what to do or how to react to clinching her first Grand Slam.

The occasion was perhaps too big for her, while she was also overwhelmed by emotions after being asked a question about her parents, who were not present.

“They would be super proud,” she said then.

Regardless of the reasons, what had seemed so daunting has given the Moscow-born Kazakh much-needed experience, as she confidently made it through to Saturday’s Australian Open final after beating Victoria Azarenka 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 on Thursday.

“Everything was new at Wimbledon,” the 23-year-old said.

“Now I more or less understand what to expect.”

The 22nd seed was rarely troubled by two-time Melbourne champion Azarenka in the first semi-final on Rod Laver Arena.

She hit nine aces to raise her tournament-leading total to 44, and that could be a handy weapon in the final against fellow hard-hitter Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, who overpowered unseeded Pole Magda Linette 7-6 (7-1), 6-2 in the other last-four clash.

In a match of wild momentum swings, Rybakina held her nerve when it counted, staying strong as the 24th-seeded Azarenka floundered in a messy first set tiebreak, then dropped serve twice to fall 5-2 behind in the second set.

Rybakina was broken as she served for the set but Azarenka double-faulted to give up three match points in the next game, allowing the Kazakh to close out an emphatic win.

“I’m super happy and proud, with my team also. Without them, it would be difficult to be here,” said Rybakina.

“I’m super happy to be in the finals, and play one more time here.

“I couldn’t play really aggressive tennis today, the conditions were different, the ball was not ‘going’ so much but, in the end, I managed to win.

“For sure, I’ve got a lot of experience from (winning) Wimbledon.

“I just want to come on court and enjoy the moment (in Saturday’s final). I will try my best in the final, of course.

“Hopefully, I’m going to win. I’m looking forward to playing in front of everybody, and especially my parents.”

Rybakina’s parents and sister were watching her at Melbourne Park for the first time – they were absent at Wimbledon due to visa issues.

“For sure, it’s great for them. I didn’t even talk with them yet,” she added.

“I’m sure they’re happy. They don’t see me often playing live, so I think this time, it’s a big result already.

“No matter how I play in the final, I think they’re very proud and happy.”

While Rybakina knows what it is like to play in a Grand Slam final, fifth seed Sabalenka will be making her maiden appearance after three semi-final losses at Wimbledon and the US Open in the past two years.

“I’m super happy, super happy that I was able to get this win,” said the 24-year-old, who had been hoping to play her compatriot Azarenka in Saturday’s showpiece.

Sabalenka came into the match as many observers’ favourite for the Melbourne crown, but getting past the semi-finals at a Grand Slam had always been a challenge for her.

She had led world No. 1 Iga Swiatek 4-2 in the third set of their US Open last-four clash in September, before a spectacular meltdown where she lost 16 of the last 20 points.

That sort of mental baggage in tennis is always lurking, especially for someone as emotional as Sabalenka, who has admitted to being stymied by nerves in the past.

But the world No. 5 has been in the form of her life since arriving in Australia.

She won the Adelaide International warm-up tournament and has now extended her unbeaten streak to 10 matches, not losing a single set in any of them.

Sabalenka has been exuding a calmer, more assured persona on court, without losing any of her famed aggression.

Still, she was not totally pleased with her performance against Linette.

“I would say that I didn’t start really well,” she said.

“And then on the tiebreak, I kind of found my rhythm and just started trusting myself, started going for the shots. It was great tennis from me in the tiebreak.”

AFP, REUTERS