First-time winner: Neither Aryna Sabalenka or Elina Rybakina have won the Australian Open before
(Picture: Getty Images)Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina has booked her place in the final of the Australian Open after a 7-6, 6-2 victory over Victoria Azarenka.
The Moscow-born Rybakina, who represents Kazakhstan, had struggled with indifferent form after beating Ons Jabeur last summer for her first Grand Slam title.
Belarusian Azarenka had been bidding for a third Australian Open title and a first in 10 years but was on the back foot after being broken in the opening set.
She broke back to force a tiebreak, which Rybakina dominated, so too the second set although she briefly stuttered when serving for the match.
She conceded that particular service game but broke back immediately to ensure a first-time winner of the Australian Open come Saturday’s final.
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. Sabalenka was tentative initially and was broken early on.
But she got the break back and lost a solitary point in the ensuing tiebreak. Set two was far more one-sided for a deserved 7-6, 6-2 victory.
Meanwhile, Britain’s Alfie Hewitt is on for a double having reached the finals of the wheelchair singles and doubles at the event.
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. He will face another Japanese player in 16-year-old Tokito Oda in the final.
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. He and Reid have won the past three doubles titles at the Australian Open.
