Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 26, 2023 Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina is pictured during an interview after winning her semi final match against Belarus’ Victoria Azarenka REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina began her Australian Open campaign on the outer courts at Melbourne Park but the 22nd seed is now just one step away from winning her second major, with only fellow big-hitter Aryna Sabalenka standing in her way.
Russian-born Rybakina switched allegiance to Kazakhstan in 2018 to get more financial support and went on to become the country's first major singles champion at the All England Club, where she beat Tunisian Ons Jabeur in the final.
While that victory brought prestige and financial reward, it did not boost her up the rankings.
The WTA stripped Wimbledon of ranking points for the tournament after organisers imposed a ban on Russian and Belarusian players due to Russia's war in Ukraine, which Moscow calls a "special military operation".
Rybakina would have climbed into the top 10 had the ranking points been available but she has proved she belongs in the spotlight at Melbourne Park, knocking out three Grand Slam champions en route to this year's title clash.
Playing flawless tennis and showing little emotion, the 23-year-old dismissed last year's runner-up Danielle Collins before eliminating title favourite Iga Swiatek, former Roland Garros winner Jelena Ostapenko and two-times Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka.
"I think it was a great challenge for me because for sure, they have experience of winning Grand Slams, so it was nothing new for them," Rybakina, who beat Azarenka 7-6(4) 6-3 in the semi-finals, said.
"This time I would say that it was a bit easier compared to Wimbledon when I was playing for the first time the quarters, semis, final.
"For sure they're very experienced players. I knew I have to focus on every point. I think in the end I did well."
NEUTRAL CHAMPION?
Belarusian Sabalenka finally looks to be delivering on years of promise and will be making her first appearance in a Grand Slam final after falling at the semi-final stage three times.
The powerful fifth seed defeated unheralded Pole Magda Linette 7-6(1) 6-2 to reach Saturday's title match at Rod Laver Arena and will look to fight fire with fire against Rybakina.
Sabalenka, who has notched up 10 successive straight-sets victories this year, including a run to the Adelaide title, was unable to compete at Wimbledon due to the ban and said she only watched some of it on TV.
"I was feeling really bad about that (ban) and didn't watch Wimbledon at all," the 24-year-old said.
"I mean, little bit the final because I was working out in the gym. I saw a bit. It was great tennis."
With Russian and Belarusian players only allowed to compete as individual athletes without national affiliation at Melbourne Park, Sabalenka could become the first neutral athlete to win a Grand Slam.
"Let's talk about that if I win it," she said. "I don't like to speak about 'if'. I just want to work for it, do my best.
"If I win, you can ask that question and I will answer."
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
