Wimbledon champion Rybakina sets up semi-final clash with Azarenka

Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina became the first player into the Australian Open semi-finals after outmuscling Jelena Ostapenko 6-2 6-4 in a one-sided contest on Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday.

Done in two ✅✅

Elena could not be Ryba-keener to be into the #AO2023 semifinals ✊#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/BYpHgV7Vha

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2023

“I think of course I got all the experience at Wimbledon and it’s helping me now this time here in Australia and I know what to expect,” she said.

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The Russian-born Kazakh will meet two-time champion Victoria Azarenka for a place in the final.

Belarus’s Azarenka rolled back the years at the Australian Open and crushed third seed Jessica Pegula 6-4 6-1 to reach the semi-finals and remain on course for her third Grand Slam crown.

The win marked the first time in a decade that Azarenka had made it to the last-four at Melbourne Park and she will make her first appearance in a major semi-final since the US Open in 2020 where she went on to lose in the title clash.

“Well, it hurts to beat her because I always want her to do well, but the same time I know I have to play my best tennis,” 33-year-old Azarenka said of her friend and practice partner Pegula.