ELENA RYBAKINA STUNS AZARENKA TO REACH FIRST AUSTRALIAN OPEN FINAL

Elena Rybakina stormed to the Australian Open final in a brilliant display to win a 7-6 (4) 6-3 over Victoria Azarenka who was on her quest for a third Australian Open title.

Rybakina becomes first Kazakhstan and her first time to reach the Australian Open final, will next meet the winner between Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka and unseeded Pole Magda Linette who play in the second semi- final at the Rod Laver Arena.

The match which has drawn large attention on social media and global viewing audience started in the right momentum. In the first set 24 seeded, Azarenka foundered in a messy first set tiebreak, obviously working to up her standard of play. But unfortunately, she dropped serve twice to fall 5-2 behind in the second set.

Meanwhile, the stellar performance of reigning Wimbledon champion Rybakina came to play when she was broken as she served for the set but responded well which Azarenka double- faulted to give three match points in the next game. The 22 seeded Elena was quick in forehand play delivering her shots with precision, her efforts paid off as the Kazahk got it right to close an emphatic win 7-6 (4) 6-3 which took her to the final of the 2023 Australian Open final.