Australian Open: Aryna Sabalenka fixes final with Elena Rybakina
Aryna Sabalenka has reached the final of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time. The Belarusian beat Madga Linette 7: 6 (1) and 6: 2 and will play Elena Rybakina in the final on Saturday.
by red/SID
last edit: Jan 26, 2023, 01:31 pm
Sabalenka was the clear favorite in this match, as the Belarusian had already won the tournament in Adelaide this year and also showed herself to be untouchable at the Australian Open. Linette was able to keep up well in her first major quarterfinals, but had to give in after an early break in the second set.
In the final, Sabalenka will now face Elena Rybakina. The reigning Wimbledon champion beat Victoria Azarenka 7: 6 (4) and 6: 3 and is only one victory away from her second major title.
"I'm super happy and proud," Rybakina said. "Today the conditions were a bit difficult for me, but I managed it well. I'll do my best in the final, fight and hopefully win."
Rybakina, who eliminated world number one Iga Swiatek from Poland on her way to the semifinals, is Russian by birth and has been serving for Kazakhstan since 2018. Her coup at Wimbledon was the country's first Grand Slam title. After three unsuccessful major semifinals, Sabalenka made it into the final for the first time.
Here is the women's individual tableau
laver arena