Rybakina survives Pegula’s revival, setting up a rematch with Sabalenka in the final
Rybakina survives Pegula’s revival, setting up a rematch with Sabalenka in the final
A 6-3, 7-6 (7) victory ensures a repeat of the 2023 Melbourne final.
Pegula fails to profit on the topsy-turvy tie-break.
A nervous Elena Rybakina overcame a strong rally from the fast-finishing Jessica Pegula to book an Australian Open final showdown with world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka advanced to her third grand slam final with a 6-3, 7-6 (7) semi-final triumph in 101 minutes.
The American was left disappointed by her poor start and inability to capitalize on second-set opportunities, as she fell short of reaching a second Grand Slam final.
Early on, Rybakina maintained control, but as the match progressed, she tightened her racket, allowing two late breaks. In the end, the No. 5 seed remained focused long enough in a tumultuous second-set tiebreak, saving two set points, to clinch the victory.
She claimed she was pleased with her start to the match, but the finale was nerve-racking. “Jessica played so well in the second set; she fought to the end,” she told me.
Thursday’s late encounter at Rod Laver Arena promised a clash of styles, with Rybakina’s sweeping strokes pitted against Pegula’s savvy, mobile, all-around game.
Rybakina, rated one spot higher than the American, was the slight favourite heading in, thanks partly to her strong serve, which had delivered more aces than any other player in the event.
However, the early going revealed there was a divide between the two players. Pegula dropped the first six points of the match and was broken in her opening serve.
Fans at the Australian Open’s Women and Girls Day were clamoring for more tennis after the first semi-final between Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina lasted only 77 minutes.
Pegula’s first hold after 15 minutes was hailed with enthusiastic applause, even though the American still appeared out of sorts.
The opening set went quickly in 32 minutes, and Rybakina had yet to face a break point.
Pegula had little control over what happened as the Kazakh’s opening serve landed. One missile was recorded at 191 kilometers per hour.
Even on second serves and rallies, Pegula was unable to counteract her opponent’s powerful strokes, hitting only three victories in the opening set.
Pegula tried everything. There were flicks to vary the angle and slices to change the speed of the points.
However, unforced errors made her susceptible, and a strong return enabled Rybakina take a break in the third game of the second setJust when it appeared that the match was over, something unexpected happened.
Rybakina appeared more tense in her moves, and her opponent gradually gained consistency.
Pegula saved three match points on her serve and held, while Rybakina had two chances to serve it out but was broken both times.
The final tiebreak was chaotic, with Rybakina giving up a 4-2 lead. The American missed his first set point and then another.
But Rybakina remained composed and, 28 minutes after her previous match point, secured victory and a spot in the final.
The big-serving 26-year-old won the first set of the 2023 Australian Open final against Sabalenka, but her opponent came back to win the match and her first Grand Slam victory.
Rybakina remembers the match, calling it a “great battle,” but adding that Sabalenka deserved to win.
The 2022 Wimbledon winner defeated Sabalenka to win last year’s WTA Finals, and Rybakina, like her opponent on Saturday, has yet to drop a set at Melbourne Park this season, making the match a fitting conclusion.
