And that was all she wrote for today’s semi-finals. Rybakina v Sabalenka is the final lineup for Saturday in the women’s singles. Commiserations to Azarenka and Linette, who can be incredibly proud of how they performed over the past couple of weeks.
Thanks for reading and I’ll be back for Djokovic v Paul in the men’s semi-finals tomorrow. Bye for now.
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Eurosport run some footage from Azarenka’s press conference following her defeat by Rybakina earlier: “I can’t say I played great tennis today,” says the 2012 and 2013 champion while sporting her trademark sunglasses. “I didn’t really do that. I’m proud of myself how I fought, how I tried … she’s a great player, she has big weapons. If she improves a couple of areas, she is going to be better … I want to see how she is in five years.”
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Sabalenka speaks to Barbara Schett on Eurosport, who opens with a question about the Belarusian’s power: “It didn’t feel like I hit really strong forehands … to be honest, I didn’t try to overhit. I just tried to find my rhythm and move better … I found my rhythm, and the ball started to fly a bit better.”
What has changed this year?
“I’m a little bit more calm on court … I respect everybody, but I also respect myself. No matter what happens on court, I always believe I will be able to come back, and to fight for it.
“Definitely [my serve] is much better. Last year was really tough for me but I am so happy that I was able to get through it.”
Is she ready for the final?
“One more – I’m ready.”
Today’s news stories:
Sabalenka has always been a player who looked capable of total domination if and when she pulled it all together: her serve, her mental approach, her composure and patience … and it appears that time has arrived.
It was a wonderful tournament for Linette, and she fought bravely today, but was simply outclassed and overpowered. A fantastic effort to make it this far, having never previously advanced beyond the third round at any grand slam tournament.
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Sabalenka speaks: “I’m super happy … she’s an incredible player. She played great tennis. I’m super happy right now … thank you [to the fans] for staying late and supporting us, the atmosphere was incredible.
“I didn’t start really well but in the [first-set] tiebreak, I found my rhythm, started trusting myself, started going for my shots.”
Told by the interviewer that the average speed of her forehands is up there with some of the men, Sabalenka jokingly gestures as if kissing each of her biceps in turn, then replies: “I actually think that I hit really slow balls today [laughs] … thank you, I’ve got good genetics, I guess.
“To play on this court is a great experience for me … I hope it’s going to help me tomorrow … sorry, Saturday!
“Elena [Rybakina] is an amazing player. Super aggressive, and she already has a grand slam … it’s going to be great, I’m really looking forward to this final.”
😘 💪@SabalenkaA • #AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/N01VTYbM6g
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 26, 2023
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Sabalenka beats Linette! 7-6 (1), 6-2
A double fault by Sabalenka makes it 15-15. She runs around a forehand on the next point and tucks it away for 30-15.
But then another mistake, a miscued forehand flunking into the net … 30-30 … but then an ace for match point, her fourth.
A big serve from Sabalenka – Linette gets it back – Sabalenka tucks away the winner, and she is there!
Rybakina v Sabalenka will contest the women’s singles final.
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Linette 6-7 (1), 2-5 *Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
Errors from Linette bring 0-30, but it’s the relentlessness of Sabalenka’s game that is forcing those mistakes.
At 15-30, Sabalenka gives Linette the runaround again, battering the ball alternately to the corners, eventually wearing the Polish player down. A stunning piece of play.
Sabalenka earns two match points, but fluffs them both looking for the big winner each time. Linette, always fighting, brings it back to deuce.
Advantage Sabalenka – and another match point … again, Linette saves it with some resolute defence in the face of the power hitting coming from the other side of the net.
Linette eventually holds, having saved a hat-trick of match points, and asks Sabalenka to serve it out.
Is this the moment Sabalenka makes it to a grand-slam final? She’s been to the last four at Wimbledon once, and twice at the US Open …
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*Linette 6-7 (1), 1-5 Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
Linette applies plenty of pressure on the Sabalenka serve this time. She has break points at 15-40 and then 30-40 … on the second she attempts a forehand down the line but nets it. She gets it right for her advantage, though, only to see an ace flash past her on the next point. Deuce.
Sabalenka absolutely crushes a cross-court forehand winner next up – Linette barely has time to divert her gaze to watch the ball flash past her. A phenomenal shot. Sabalenka closes out the hold, having been asked some serious questions. Linette to serve to stay in the match.
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Linette 6-7 (1), 1-4 *Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
At 0-40 to Sabalenka, it looks for all money as if Linette has hit a volley wide. Even on replay it looks out. But there is no call from the line judge.
Sabalenka is undeterred and plays a delightful backhand, with a bit of slice taking the ball away from Linette, that the Polish player cannot get her racket on.
Linette falls a double break down, and is heading up the creek without a paddle. Sabalenka moves one step closer …
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*Linette 6-7 (1), 1-3 Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
Some fans try to keep Linette’s spirits up: “Let’s go, Magda, let’s go.”
It’s of little use, not on Sabalenka’s serve, anyway.
Linette forces it back to 40-30. On commentary for Eurosport, Reed and Durie reckon Sabalenka is making excessive noise as she attempts to batter Linette into submission. Her yells of effort are “too long”, says Reed. And they think, perhaps, the crowd don’t like it.
Regardless, Sabalenka has won three games in a row, and is firmly in control.
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Linette 6-7 (1), 1-2 *Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
The power and precision from Sabalenka continues to pose serious problems for her opponent. A couple of dominant shots help to make it 30-30 … and then again for 30-40, Linette is not doing anything wrong, but just incapable of keeping pace with Sabalenka, who is warming to her task more and more and hitting the ball with authority. Sabalenka seals the break and moves in front in the second.
Linette needs something, and fast, if she is going to stay in the tournament.
*Linette 6-7 (1), 1-1 Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
Sabalenka thumps her fourth ace, out wide, for 30-15. But then she errs on her backhand, dumping one into the net for 30-30. A chance for Linette?
Sabalenka stays composed and produces a big serve. Linette does well to get it back, and both players take it on from the baseline. But it’s Sabalenka, again, that is too strong … she wins two points in succession to make it 1-1 in the second set.
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Linette 6-7 (1), 1-0 *Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
A test at 30-30 for Linette. She comes through it, winning two points in a row, moving ahead and pumping her first at her team in the stand. Can she pressurise the Sabalenka serve?
Sabalenka has 20 winners to Linette’s seven after the first set.
Linette has taken a break, but is walking back on to court now.
She has plenty of support in the crowd – fans are pictured waving Polish flags. Can Linette give them something to cheer and win this second set?
Elena Rybakina awaits in the final.
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Sabalenka wins the first set against Linette! 6-7 (1)
Sabalenka takes the first point, on serve, with a powerful winner. A portent of things to come …
More of the same on the second point, on Linette’s second serve. An imperious double-handed backhand down the line is too good for the Pole.
And yet again – this time to Linette’s backhand side – Sabalenka’s strike from the back of the court is simply too good, too accurate, too powerful, and Linette can only divert the ball into the net for 3-0.
Sabalenka finds her range with her first serve next, unreturnable, and 4-0 in the breaker … then an ace out wide for 5-0! Wow. This is emphatic.
At 6-0, the players take a drink, and it’s Linette with plenty of thinking to do. She wins the next point when Sabalenka hits a lob fractionally long. But Sabalenka, who accelerated into that tiebreak in ominous fashion, seals the first set in dominant style, carefully watching Linette’s forehand as it lands beyond the baseline.
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First-set tiebreak! Linette 6-6 Sabalenka
Sabalenka stretches to dispatch a superb return of a wide serve. Linette can’t get it back and it’s 0-15 … then there appears to be trouble brewing for Linette when she double faults, her first of the match.
She stays strong, taking it back to 30-30 with a handsome forehand off a high-bouncing ball … then drills a powerful, crisp forehand to the corner for 40-30.
Sabalenka comes roaring back, hitting consistently from the back, bullying Linette and finally overpowering her for deuce.
Another fine rally comes at deuce. Linette moves in, leaving a chance for Sabalenka to pass, but the Belarusian belts the ball into the net.
Linette’s advantage – she goes for a winner down the line – the ball clips the net, and diverts to bounce just inside the line! It was surely dropping out. Linette raises her hands in apology. But it’s a tiebreak.
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*Linette 5-6 Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
At 15-30 a fascinating rally with Linette mixing it up excellently, curling a slice to the corner then powering a big attempted winner on the next shot.
Sabalenka stays patient, and soon converts her first game point, nudging ahead again at 6-5. Back to Linette’s serve – can she force a tiebreak?
Seven short months ago, Elena Rybakina stood on Centre Court as she achieved one of her dreams and imagined what could follow. Her Wimbledon title was one of the ultimate achievements of her profession, a tremendous success, yet it told little about what would happen next. The recent years of tennis history, as players have struggled hard to follow up their first victories, made one thing clear: winning one major is hard enough.
It has not taken her long to back it up. On Thursday night, Rybakina took another enormous step forward in her career by following up her first triumph with another grand slam final run just two major events later.
Linette 5-5 *Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
On Linette’s second serve, Sabalenka smacks a huge forehand to the corner. Linette meets is perfectly and scorches it back down the line, with interest, a clean winner and one of the shots of the match. Brilliant.
It’s soon 30-0 but Sabalenka establishes herself in the game at 30-15 … she then takes on an ambitious attempted forehand winner, muscling the ball again, but gets it wrong and it bounces wide.
Sabalenka nets the next service return, and it’s 5-5.
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*Linette 4-5 Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
An awkward mishit by Linette brings 30-0 for Sabalenka.
The Belarusian world No 5 destroys a double-handed backhand for 40-30, clenching her fist in celebration, then tonks down a sizeable first serve to move ahead again in the first set.
Linette must serve to stay in the first set. She hasn’t come this far to fade away now …
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Linette 4-4 *Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
A stunningly balanced, well-struck forehand winner down the line from Linette breaks two game points at 40-15. She seals the game and we’re back level at 4-4.
The unforced error count is 11 for Sabalenka and three for Linette. Sounds about right …
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*Linette 3-4 Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
Sabalenka crunches another big forehand, at 40-15, to hold serve with ease.
Linette is living with her, though, and much like Azarenka earlier, is far from intimidated in the face on an opponent who has much, much more power.
This is up for grabs.
Linette 3-3 *Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
At 15-15 there is another lengthy exchange, Sabalenka eventually netting a double-handed backhand, stopping with her hand held to her mouth as she looks up to her team.
As Simon Reed points out on Eurosport, when Sabalenka loses a point, “it looks like the end of the world” … but if she can stay in control, then she will surely have too much for Linette?
Anyway, the Polish player levels at 3-3, both players have a break of serve on the board in the first set.
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*Linette 2-3 Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
A glance at another opportunity for Linette at 0-30 on the Belarusian’s serve. Sabalenka steadies the ship and brings it back to 15-30. The next rally is the best and longest of the match, Linette looking to win it with an excellent angled forehand … Sabalenka stays in the conversation, defends well, and then wrests control of the point with her massive forehand. That’s 30-30, and soon 40-30, and then the game. Three games on the spin for Sabalenka.
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Linette 2-2 *Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
Again there is inaccuracy from Sabalenka. Two unforced errors help to make it 40-0 for Linette, who is going about her business efficiently.
Sabalenka unleashes an unstoppable forehand for 40-15. She climbs into some more big hits from the baseline and eventually draws an error from Linette, who hits a forehand into the tramlines. 40-30. Linette misses a regulation backhand and throws her head back in frustration. Deuce.
Sabalenka is finding her range now, she stays in the next point, then belts a winner cross-court for a break point … and she plays another very solid, powerful point to take the break back in this first set. A missed chance for the Polish player.
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*Linette 2-1 Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
A crucial point at 30-30. Sabalenka wins it with an excellent forehand down the line, with her opponent out of position. Sabalenka roars – and I mean roars – with delight and determination, celebrating a key early hurdle being safely negotiated. She soon closes out the game when Linette hits wide on the next point.
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Linette 2-0 *Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
Linette backs up the break with a comfortable hold. Again, Sabalenka hits wide, looking for a spectacular winner, to hand the game to her opponent. Linette looks utterly unfazed by the occasion, and indeed her opponent’s excessive power from the baseline.
After one point, after Linette tucks away a simple volley, there is a petulant swish of the racket by Sabalenka. Not a good sign.
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*Linette 1-0 Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
A smattering of unforced errors from Sabalenka, who hits from the baseline with tonnes of power but little precision. She finds the net on the first rally and hits wide on the second. Linette stays in the points, and negates her opponent’s power … and the Polish player breaks to love in the first game!
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I should mention that Linette is ranked No 45 and unseeded. Pliskova, Kontaveit and Garcia are among the more illustrious opponents she has already beaten. It would be an incredible tale if she can reach the final … Sabalenka is ranked No 5 in the world and seeded five at the tournament, too.
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Here we go: Sabalenka to serve.
Biomechanics have aided Sabalenka’s serve. Tumaini Carayol has the details:
So, the second semi-finalists have met twice before, and Sabalenka leads Linette 2-0 in the head-to-head. They last met at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, the Belarusian running out a 6-2, 6-1 victor.
That first set was a ding-dong battle. Rybakina, when in the groove, is almost impossible to live with. It is obvious how much work she puts in in practice, such is the fluency and smoothness of her technique. That said, she is perhaps not the most natural of ball-strikers, evidenced by the frequent mishits that appeared during that match.
Azarenka fought and fought, and stayed in touch, but her level dropped in the second set. A deserved victory for Rybakina, who may hold both the Wimbledon and Australian Open titles in a couple of days, if she can find her best level in the final.
Linette v Sabalenka is up next.
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“For sure I’ve got a lot of experience from [winning] Wimbledon … I just want to come on court and enjoy the moment [in Saturday’s final], enjoy the atmosphere … it’s really amazing to play in front of you guys so thank you so much.
“I try my best, I fight, and hopefully, I’m going to win. I’m looking forward to playing in front of everybody, and especially my parents.”
Jelena Dokic, the interviewer, congratulates Rybakina again, and off she goes.
Rybakina speaks: “I’m super happy and proud, with my team also, without them it would be difficult to be here … it’s an incredible atmosphere, I’m super happy to be in the finals, and play one more time here.
“I couldn’t play really aggressive tennis, the conditions were different, the ball was not ‘going’ so much, but in the end I managed to win … I will try my best in the final, of course.”
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Rybakina beats Azarenka! 7-6 (4), 6-3
A double fault by Azarenka makes it 0-40. Azarenka gets one break point back … but then nets from the back of the court, and Rybakina has done it!
There is a cursory, respectful handshake between the players.
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Rybakina 7-6 (4), 5-3 *Azarenka (*denotes next server)
Another mishit on Rybakina’s forehand side brings 0-30 for Azarenka. Rybakina muscles a forehand winner on the next point, though, getting over a high-bouncing ball, for 15-30.
But then she double faults! Break point for Azarenka. A speedy 188km/h serve by Rybakina makes it 30-40 … but Azarenka cracks a lovely double-handed backhand to the corner to get one of those breaks back! She couldn’t … could she?
*Rybakina 7-6 (4), 5-2 Azarenka (*denotes next server)
It’s slipping away for Azarenka. She serves her fifth double fault of the match, and third of the second set, on the way to being broken again. Rybakina can serve for the match and a place in the final. What were you doing when you were 23?
Azarenka has now racked up 24 unforced errors. 17 for Rybakina.
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Rybakina 7-6 (4), 4-2 *Azarenka (*denotes next server)
Both players have their eye in now. The opening rally features a succession of sweetly-struck shots from the baseline. Rybakina eventually comes in and ushers a forehand winner down the line, beyond Azarenka, who has also come into the net.
But after a tussle on the first point, Rybakina races to a love hold.
Azarenka goes to the corner and speaks to her team, visibly unhappy.
*Rybakina 7-6 (4), 3-2 Azarenka (*denotes next server)
Azarenka narrowly avoids the calamity of going a double break down. At 15-30 she hits an awkward-looking backhand into the net and stands motionless with her shoulders slumped, looking to her team in the stand for some explanation.
The two set points are saved thanks in part to a bad miscue from Rybakina on her forehand side that flops into the net.
Azarenka nabs advantage, yet again mustering up a big point or two when it counts, and closes the game out to stay in touch.
Rybakina 7-6 (4), 3-1 *Azarenka (*denotes next server)
A chance for Azarenka at 15-30. Rybakina wrestles it back to 30-30, then Azarenka mishits a second-serve return that bounces long, for 40-30. Rybakina thwacks down another ace, her ninth of the match, to open up a bit of daylight on the second-set scoreboard.
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Both players have 16 unforced errors. Rybakina has 24 winners to 20 for Azarenka. New balls are taken.
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*Rybakina 7-6 (4), 2-1 Azarenka (*denotes next server)
Ouch. A scruffy service game from Azarenka is punished with efficiency, a break to love. Rybakina has the break in the second set. Azarenka kicks the air, or maybe her racket, in frustration as the game is sealed.
Rybakina 7-6 (4), 1-1 *Azarenka (*denotes next server)
Rybakina finds her serving form again, striking three aces on the way to a comfortable hold.
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*Rybakina 7-6 (4), 0-1 Azarenka (*denotes next server)
Rybakina makes Azarenka toil to hold at the start of the second. At 30-40, Azarenka has to sprint to her right, and she hits a wonderful winner cross-court to restore parity at deuce. Another big forehand brings an error and advantage for Azarenka … and she smacks her third ace of the match, out wide, to close it out. Spirited.
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Rybakina a set away from an Australian Open final, several months after winning in SW19.
Set away from a second Grand Slam final 👏
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 26, 2023
Elena Rybakina leads Victoria Azarenka 7-6(4).#AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/UjY8ifvMi0
Will that tiebreak victory see Rybakina return to her early form, or will Azarenka find another level?
Rybakina has gone off court. Azarenka missed a massive, massive chance at 0-40 on her opponent’s serve there. But she will keep on keeping on …
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Rybakina wins the first set against Azarenka! 7-6 (4)
Rybakina threatens to forge a decisive advantage at 2-0 with a mini-break. Azarenka, as usual, fights back to 2-2. Rybakina hammers a big forehand that Azarenka cannot control and it’s 3-2 to the Kazakhstani player. When she connects like that, there seems no way of stopping her …
Azarenka double faults for 4-2, and then misjudges a backhand from the baseline, hitting wide for 5-2. Rybakina can serve for the set. A beautiful winner for Azarenka, naturally responding to adversity, drags it back to 5-3, before an unforced error by her opponent makes it 5-4.
From an Azarenka second serve, Rybakina returns powerfully, Azarenka hits longs, and it’s two set points. Azarenka hits wide on the first of them, and Rybakina has the first set! That was such an interesting, entertaining set of tennis.
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First-set tiebreak! Rybakina 6-6 Azarenka
A forehand winner makes it 15-0 for Azarenka. Next up, Rybakina belts a wild attempted winner wide for 30-0. Her coach shakes his head. Another mishit and it’s 40-0. And Azarenka passes her opponent to seal a love hold and take it to a tiebreaker. The imminent tiebreak, and this match, is impossible to call.
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Rybakina 6-5 *Azarenka (*denotes next server)
Rybakina’s first-serve success rate has now slumped to 49%. Azarenka continues to punish the second serve, striking the ball tremendously well and continuing to put pressure on her opponent. Quick as a flash it’s 0-40 and three break points. The first serve is wide. Rybakina does well to save the first break point in the face of a big return.
At 15-40 the first serve is wildly long. But again Rybakina hustles and shows character to save another break point. Again, Azarenka has a chance to try and bury a second serve at 30-40 … but she fluffs it and finds the net. Deuce.
Eventually, finally, Rybakina finds a first serve to seal an important hold. A big, big missed chance for Azarenka there with three break points up in smoke. She had battled back and put so much pressure on her opponent in the preceding moments.
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*Rybakina 5-5 Azarenka (*denotes next server)
It’s 30-30 and there is potential danger for Azarenka. Rybakina miscues from the baseline for 40-30. “Let’s go!” Azarenka tells herself. Rybakina hits wide next up, and it’s all square. Rybakina was hitting the ball with phenomenal power and accuracy in the first few games … but Azarenka is not going anywhere.
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Rybakina 5-4 *Azarenka (*denotes next server)
Again, Azarenka keeps fighting and immediately threatens her own break back, at 0-30.
Rybakina digs out a classy volley, coming to the net and dinking an angled effort over the net that Azarenka sprints for and manages to get a racket to, but that’s about all. Rybakina whips a beautifully timed, half-volleyed winner for 30-30 and then a 188km/h serve for set point at 40-30.
It looks like Rybakina has earned the set, but she doesn’t hit a perfect volley when coming to the net, and Azarenka pounces to curl a passing winner, on the run, down the line. Soon it’s break point when Azarenka targets the second serve! Excellent, excellent stuff from the 2012 and 2013 Australian Open champion …
The players exchange blows from the baseline on the break point, and Rybakina smokes a trademark winner to take it back to parity. Azarenka answers in kind and earns another break point … the big first serve is fractionally long, and Rybakina hits wide – Azarenka has the second break back!
So, so good from Azarenka. She was given an inch, and took a mile.
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*Rybakina 5-3 Azarenka (*denotes next server)
Rybakina earns two break points at 15-40. Azarenka saves the first with a finely-constructed point finished off with an angled winner to the corner. She saves the second in similar style.
An excellent rally culminates in a straightforward winner for Rybakina and a third break point … Azarenka nets from the back of the court and gives the break to her opponent, who can serve for the set.
Azarenka is not intimidated by her opponent’s superior power, and is fighting hard, but is that a decisive game in the first set?
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Rybakina 4-3 *Azarenka (*denotes next server)
And now a love hold for Rybakina thanks to some more punishing serving. She appeared to be wobbling, but not anymore.
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*Rybakina 3-3 Azarenka (*denotes next server)
Azarenka seems to have installed a little bit of doubt in her opponent’s mind. Rybakina misses a couple of times for 30-0. Azarenka then finds the net from the back of the court for 30-15. Rybakina then steps into a backhand with devastating effect, angling a winner to Azarenka’s backhand side that flashes past the Belarussian before she can move.
Rybakina soon has a break point, although Azarenka challenges a line call and Hawkeye shows Rybakina’s shot clipping the line. Rybakina closes out an immediate break back.
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Rybakina 2-3 *Azarenka (*denotes next server)
A glimmer for Azarenka at 15-30. Rybakina responds with a clean ace. At 30-30, Azarenka does exceptionally well to return another huge serve, establishes herself at the base line, and promptly crafts a sensational wrong-footer down the line for a very hard-earned break point. At 30-40 Azarenka again keeps herself in business after Rybakina’s big serve, stays in the point, and engineers the chance for an easy smash – and a break! Very, very high level stuff.
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*Rybakina 2-2 Azarenka (*denotes next server)
Sturdy stuff from Azarenka, who clearly knows she needs to raise her game, and react to her opponent’s early aggression with some of her own. She holds to level in the first set, clinching the game with a big first serve.
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Rybakina 2-1 *Azarenka (*denotes next server)
Rybakina unloads a scorching backhand for 15-0. If she keeps striking the ball so effectively, causing so much damage, this could be over pretty swiftly. Azarenka nets from the back of the court for 30-0 and the world No 25 Rybakina races to a love hold.
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*Rybakina 1-1 Azarenka (*denotes next server)
Power and precision from Rybakina to make it 15-15 with a crushing forehand winner. There is a slow-motion replay of Azarenka exhaling and raising her eyebrows as she contemplates the quality and aggression of that shot.
“She needs to be a step quicker, sharper … I’m sure she’ll work it out,” says Durie on commentary of Azarenka, at 30-30. And on cue she clips an excellent unreturnable backhand to the corner. Rybakina immediately forces the pace on the next point, though, and takes it to deuce … but Azarenka hustles impressively to hold after initially looking somewhat overwhelmed by her opponent’s power. An important hold.
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Rybakina 1-0 *Azarenka (*denotes next server)
A double fault from Rybakina to begin. She steadies herself and wins the next point, Azarenka hitting wide for 15-15, then Rybakina smacks a 186km/h ace down the middle. She adjusts her aim, and belts a second ace out wide … and then immediately a third! And that’s the game. Fine serving, and ominous for Azarenka.
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Here we go. Rybakina to serve.
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Rybakina was born in Moscow, but now competes under the Kazakhstan flag. So it’s Kazakhstan v Belarus.
“She has surprised me,” says Eurosport’s Simon Reed, of Azarenka’s run to the last four. “I was astonished how well she played against Pegula, particularly.”
“Physically she has impressed me,” says his co-commentator, Jo Durie. “She is moving so well.”
The players are hitting a few serves as the warm-up enters the final 30 seconds …
Rybakina, the Wimbledon champion, emerges on to Rod Laver Arena after Azarenka.
Which of these players will be smiling after two or three sets?
Victoria Azarenka takes to the court first. She is wearing a Paris Saint-Germain shirt over her regular kit. Why? It’s because her seven-year-old son, Leo, wears one while watching her matches on TV or in the stadium. So they match.
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Alize Lim, the Eurosport presenter, asks Azarenka what is involved in the ‘daily work’ she has mentioned in managing her emotional life: “Be consistent with little things,” Azarenka replies “Being on time, for me, is very hard. I’m trying to be a lot better … to keep yourself in check: I need to do this, I need to do that … it’s very hard, but I’m excited that I’m trying to work at it.”
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The Eurosport team is assessing the chances of today’s first semi-finalists. Tim Henman reckons Rybakina is the favourite for the title overall.
Azarenka, pictured speaking the sunglasses mentioned by Emma Kemp, says he wants “to push herself a little bit further” … and says she is trying to play on instinct.
“The more intuitive I play, the better. When you try to analyse too much, or complicate things, it becomes a problem. I am taking care of my emotions … I am playing with my heart.”
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You know what time it is.
Grand Slam champions meet for a place in the women's singles final 🤜🤛@rolex • #AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/v9sMZnAEyj
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 26, 2023
“Since like 14 years old the coaches have been telling us ‘we need new Americans, we need new Americans’. It’s kind of engraved in my head. It’s important to me. I think we all want it pretty bad for ourselves, but we want it for US tennis too.”
Emma Kemp on Tommy Paul’s surprising run to the men’s singles semi-finals, flying the flag for the USA:
“Do you know what happened 10 years ago?” says Victoria Azarenka. It is hard to read her emotions because of the sunglasses she wears at her press conference, but her voice is laced with long-held contempt. Assumptions were made about what occurred at Melbourne Park in 2013 when the 23-year-old Azarenka, having just squandered five match points in her semi-final against Sloane Stephens, took a lengthy, controversial medical timeout before winning the match and then defending her 2012 title.
They still can’t land on a nickname, but Australia’s newest men’s doubles pairing is one match away from keeping the Australian Open title in local hands.
Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler have been “winging it” through the doubles draw and on Thursday stormed into the final after smoking the far more experienced combination of Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos.
“Srdjan Djokovic, the father of Novak Djokovic, has been pictured posing for photos with Vladimir Putin supporters at the Australian Open on Wednesday night.
Four men had been evicted from Melbourne Park by Victoria police on Wednesday night after chanting pro-Russian and pro-Vladimir Putin slogans on the steps of Rod Laver Arena while brandishing numerous Russian flags, including one with the face of Putin on it.”
Tumaini Carayol and Nino Bucci report:
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Preamble
In a few hours’ time there will be two players left standing in the women’s singles at the Australian Open. Victoria Azarenka has been here before, although not since 2013, the year she won the second of two consecutive titles.
Azarenka’s opponent in today’s first semi-final, Elena Rybakina, has never previously been beyond the third round at Melbourne Park. She is of course a grand-slam champion, having prevailed at Wimbledon last summer, so has proved eminently capable of getting it done in these high-stakes matches.
Following that match, billed as the tournament’s best server against its best returner, another potentially captivating semi-final awaits. Magda Linette of Poland has never previously been beyond the third round of any grand slam event, and she has played in 30. Standing in the way of the 30-year-old Linette is Aryna Sabalenka, the 24-year-old Belarussian who has raised her service game to devastating effect over the past couple of weeks.
This is going to be good. Rybakina v Azarenka is due to start at 8.30 UK time. Let’s go!
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