BRISBANE: World number four Elena Rybakina showcased a serving masterclass, securing a commanding 6-3, 6-2 victory over Linda Noskova to advance to the final of the Brisbane International. The Russian-born Kazakh, known for her powerful serves, fired eight aces past the Czech teenager during the 63-minute encounter.
Rybakina, a Wimbledon champion in 2022, demonstrated her dominance by breaking Noskova once in the first set and twice in the second. The second seed has been in exceptional form throughout the tournament, losing only 12 games on her way to the final and maintaining a flawless serve record.
Reflecting on her performance, Rybakina expressed surprise at her level of play, especially considering she had been unwell before arriving in Brisbane. The victory marks an excellent start to the year for the tennis star.
In the final, Rybakina will face the winner of an all-Belarusian clash between top seed Aryna Sabalenka and former world number one Victoria Azarenka. Rybakina has previously defeated Azarenka in their encounters but has faced a tougher challenge against Sabalenka, losing in five out of their seven meetings.
The upcoming final will be a significant match for Rybakina, who finished as the runner-up in the Australian Open last year. Her remarkable performance in Brisbane indicates she is in top form as she aims for success in the upcoming Grand Slam tournament.
