Australian Open: Elena Rybakina defeats Victoria Azarenka to reach women’s final | Tennis News

Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina is through to her first Australian Open final with a 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 victory over Victoria Azarenka.

The 23-year-old has shown the same form that brought him to his first major title on the lawn of the All England Club last summer, using big serves and groundstrokes to beat opponents including world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.

Her latest victim is former two-time champion Azarenka, who is back in the semifinals for the first time since her double title at Melbourne Park in 2013.

The Belarusian fought back from a break down in the opening set but paid for too many errors in the tie-break, and Rybakina was more composed in the second to seal the victory 7-6 (7-4) 6-3.

“I am very happy and proud, with my team as well,” said Rybakina. “It’s an incredible atmosphere and I’m really happy to be in the final and to play here again.

“I got a lot of experience from Wimbledon. I just want to come to the court and really enjoy the experience. Of course I will try my best, I will fight, and I hope I will win.”

The Kazakh can claim to have the best serve in the women’s game following the retirement of Serena Williams, and she made an early stop with three consecutive aces to wrap up the opening game.

Azarenka, one of the game’s best players in her heyday, got the first break of serve but Rybakina came back with three straight games to lead 5-3.

She couldn’t hold serve, however, and her big weapons let her down, as Azarenka saved a point before breaking back and forcing a break.

The 33-year-old had some success in taking Rybakina off balance but a double fault was one of the five unforced errors in the tie-break, which was too far.

The pattern continued in the second set, with Rybakina punishing Azarenka when she missed her first serve and using a big game to keep her nose in front.

Although she was unable to serve again at 5-2, a break of Azarenka’s serve sent Rybakina, who has rattled off 30 winners, into her first Australian Open final.