© Getty Images Sport – Mark Kolbe
Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina have set a blockbuster Brisbane final as everything is set for the rematch of the 2023 Australian Open final.
Sabalenka, the No. 1 seed in Brisbane, ousted former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka 6-2 6-4. By beating two-time Grand Slam champion Azarenka, 25-year-old Sabalenka reached the Brisbane final in her tournament debut.
On the other side, second-seeded Rybakina routinely handled the business against Linda Noskova, beating the rising Czech star 6-3 6-2. Now, Rybakina – the 2022 Brisbane runner-up – has been through to her second Brisbane final.
How Sabalenka defeated Azarenka?
Sabalenka got off to a positive start against Azarenka, breaking fellow Belarusian in the fourth game for a 3-1 lead. In the eighth game – when Azarenka was serving to stay in the first set – Sabalenka earned her second break to clinch the first set.
Early in the second start, Sabalenka was putting pressure on Azarenka in her return games but failed to get an early break after missing out on two break points in the second game and one more break point in the third game. After saving some early break points, Azarenka had her first break points – she missed…
