Elena Rybakina advanced to the Australian Open final after defeating Jessica Pegula on Thursday.
Rybakina beat Pegula 6-3, 7-6 in Melbourne, setting up a clash against Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open final.
The pair are meeting for the second time in the final. In 2023, Sabalenka defeated Rybakina in three sets to win the women’s singles title.
However, this time, Rybakina has been told she has an advantage over her Belarusian opponent.
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Ahead of Saturday’s blockbuster clash, Coco Vandweghe discussed what Rybakina needs to do to challenge the world number one, who – like Rybakina – is yet to drop a set in Melbourne at this year’s event.
Coco Vandeweghe’s ‘big question mark’ for Elena Rybakina
Coco Vandeweghe, the American former world number nine, discussed the importance of Elena Rybakina’s serving prowess during TNT Sports’ live coverage.
“If Rybakina doesn’t get her first serve in order, it’s not going to be [a blockbuster],” Vandeweghe said. “That’s going to be the big question mark.
“I think if there is absolute potential for it to be a really big blockbuster, but that first serve really needs to get in order for Elena Rybakina to have that confidence and that say in this matchup that has been so tough for both of them.”
Vandeweghe is far from incorrect. The serve is one of Rybakina’s greatest weapons, and she will need the shot to be firing on all cylinders if she stands a chance of combating Aryna Sabalenka’s powerful groundstroke game.
The Kazakhstani star, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, will need to improve her first-serve percentage if she is to challenge Sabalenka.
Rybakina made only 55 per cent of her first serves against Pegula; a number that will not be good enough against Sabalenka.
As for Jessica Pegula, her search for a maiden Grand Slam title continues.
The American has reached one Grand Slam final in her career, and her chances of capturing a first title diminish with every passing major event.
How do you rate Jessica Pegula’s chances of ever winning a Grand Slam?
What did Elena Rybakina say after losing the 2023 Australian Open final?
Rybakina came so close to winning her second major title at the 2023 Australian Open. Unfortunately for her fans, she was beaten in three sets by Aryna Sabalenka in the final: 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
In her post-match press conference, Rybakina reflected on how Sabalenka improved her level of play midway through the contest.
She said: “I think Aryna raise her level in the second set. She played really well, aggressive, a bit less mistakes. I should have been also more aggressive in some moments.
I had some chances, for sure, to turn it around. But, yeah, she played really well today. She was strong mentally, physically. Overall, as I said, it was a good two weeks for me here.
She later added: “For sure she served really well today no matter the double-faults. Few second serves she hit probably as a first serve. She was really well, her serve.
“For sure it’s not easy mentally. She didn’t have great serve last year, but now she was super strong and she served well. For sure I respect that. I know how much work it takes.”
