With a close-fought, straight-sets win over Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina has powered her way to an Australian Open final for the second time, thus delivering a title rematch with world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
In a thrilling 1 hour 40 minutes semi-final on Rod Laver Arena, the fifth seed from Kazakhstan managed to come out on top against the American sixth seed 6-3, 7-6(7) and further extended her perfect run at Melbourne Park without losing a set.
Rybakina, 26, held calm and was packed with power in the first set, breaking early to take over the set before finishing it off in 32 minutes. Pegula found her second wind in the second, making it tougher for Rybakina, who almost got away at the first time of asking as the lead kept changing in the heated encounter.
Even with Pegula saving three match points and pushing for a tiebreak, it was not enough to stop the Kazakh’s persistent baseline game. Rybakina kept cool in the tiebreak to confirm her win and the progression to only the third Grand Slam final of her career.“I’m really proud of how I stayed focused and fought for every point,” Rybakina told the press after the match.
The ex-Wimbledon winner, who eliminated Iga Swiatek in the quarters, will go up against Sabalenka on Saturday in an attempt to win her second major title and get back at the 2023 final defeat.
