How we meet again! Three years later, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina will face each other again in the final of the Australian Open tennis tournament. A duel scheduled for Saturday.
If Sabalenka, world number 1, had no difficulty in defeating the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina (12th) in two sets (6-2, 6-3) on Thursday, during the first semi-final of the day, Rybakina had to work hard and draw on her physical and mental reserves to win against the American Jessica Pegula (6-3, 7-6). (9/7). The latter actually saved 3 match points before losing.
“What a battle!” The second set was epic. Jess played so well that I’m very happy to have come out of it, commented the 26-year-old winner. I was very nervous at the end and I’m glad it worked out in my favor…I need some rest. »
Fourth Australian final for Sabalenka
Rybakina, winner of Wimbledon in 2022, had not played a Grand Slam final since the one lost in Melbourne in 2023 against… Sabalenka.
The world number 1 will leave with the favor of the forecasts. The 27-year-old Belarusian qualified for her fourth final in a row at the Australian Open (including two successes in 2023 and 2024).
She is only the third player to achieve the feat of qualifying for the seventh time in a row for the final of a Grand Slam on hard court after Graf (from US Open 1987 to US Open 1990) and Hingis (from Australian Open 1997 to Australian Open 2000). She will also try to add a 5th major title to her list of achievements.
