Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina has another shot at a major title after reaching the Australian Open final where she will meet Belarusian fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka.
Rybakina, won 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 against Victoria Azarenka, ending the two-time champion’s hopes of winning the title 10 years after her last triumph.
Sabalenka beat Poland’s Magda Linette to reach her first major final.
The powerful 24-year-old won 7-6 (7-1) 6-2 against her unseeded opponent.
Sabalenka was the heavy favourite to beat 30-year-old Linette, who had never been past the third round of a Grand Slam event before, and grew in confidence as the match wore on.
After losing three times in major semi-finals, Sabalenka’s relief was evident after securing her place in Saturday’s showpiece against another big-hitter.
“I wouldn’t say I started really well but in the tie-break I found my rhythm and trusted myself and started going for my shots,” said Sabalenka, who is on a 10-match winning streak after lifting the Adelaide title.
Rybakina, seeded 22nd, will contest her second major final after her triumph at the All England Club last year.
Author-Barak Mintah Brown
