Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 18, 2024 Russia's Daria Kasatkina in action during her second round match against Sloane Stephens of the U.S. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo
(Reuters) -Top seed Elena Rybakina made a fast start before battling past Russian Liudmila Samsonova 6-0 4-6 6-2 in the Abu Dhabi Open semi-finals on Saturday to book an intriguing title clash against Daria Kasatkina.
The former Wimbledon champion, seeking her second title of the season following her Brisbane triumph, breezed through the first set in double quick time by unleashing her big serve and heavy groundstrokes.
