Elena Rybakina from Kazakhstan and Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka will face off in Saturday’s Australian Open womens final after both came through their respective semifinals in straight sets.
Rybakina powered her way past two-time champion Victoria Azarenka, winning 7-6 6-3 in just over an hour and 40 minutes, while Sabalenka ended the dream run of unseeded Pole Magda Linette to reach her first grand slam final at the fourth time of asking after a 7-6 6-2 victory.
The huge-hitting Rybakina has now made two of the last three grand slam finals after her victorious Wimbledon run last summer and, at just age 23, is likely to be a force on the WTA Tour for many years to come.
Saturday’s final looks set to be a mouthwatering clash between two of the biggest hitters on Tour and two players who simply overpowered their semifinal opponents.
Writing by Tersoo Nicholas