Elena Rybakina sailed through to the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International by defeating Paula Badosa in straight sets.
The world number five is one of the favourites for the tournament as the number three seed, especially following her WTA Finals success at the end of 2025.
Rybakina has already revealed her goal is not to win in Brisbane, but she’s yet to drop a set at the tournament.
Despite her success, Rybakina pinpointed an improvement she wants to make ahead of her quarter-final match.
Elena Rybakina said she was ‘struggling’ against Paula Badosa
Rybakina will play 11th seed Karolína Muchova in the last eight and the world number five has already suggested what she needs to change in order to win.
Speaking on-court after claiming the victory, Rybakina said: “It’s always tough battles against Paula. She has great shots, she plays really fast and has a very good serve, so it was not easy.
If you were in charge of tennis, what is the first rule you would change?
“I started a little bit slow and was struggling with my serve too. But I’m happy that I managed to win. I was trying to focus one [game] at a time.
“The serve was not helping so much, so I had to manage the points and stay aggressive on the return. I still have a lot of things to work on for the next match, but hopefully it will be better.”
Rybakina’s serving game is arguably her strongest attribute, so she will be desperate to improve it before the Australian Open.
Rybakina will face a tantalising clash with either Madison Keys or Aryna Sabalenka if she finds a way past Muchova.
Elena Rybakina tipped to win the Australian Open
Rybakina heads into the first Grand Slam of the year with a genuine chance of winning the title, and Rennae Stubbs believes other players will fear the star in Melbourne.
“Rybakina has had a bit of an up-and-down year, but I think we really need to watch out for her in Australia.
What is your bold prediction for the 2026 tennis season?
“She crushed Sabalenka a few years ago in Brisbane, then she played in Adelaide and had a small Achilles tendon issue flare up again, before losing an epic tie-break to Blinkova in Melbourne.
“I think she should have won the Australian Open that year, after what she managed against Sabalenka the week before. But she will be there, and she will be among the favorites. And no player wants to face her. None.
“She doesn’t have many weaknesses, her serve is huge. She probably has the most powerful and best serve in women’s tennis. One of the best backhands I’ve ever seen. So she will clearly be among the contenders for the title at the Australian Open.”
Rybakina has not won a Grand Slam since her maiden major victory at Wimbledon in 2022, when she beat Ons Jabeur in the final.
