Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina began the first grand slam tournament of the year with two of the most difficult first-round opponents possible, yet by stepping up to the challenge both matches only served to reinforce their credentials as two of the favourites.
While Swiatek began her brutal path towards a potential Australian Open title by defeating Sofia Kenin, the 2020 champion, 7-6 (2), 6-2, Rybakina edged out Karolina Pliskova 7-6 (6), 6-4 to reach the second round.
The last time Swiatek and Kenin stared each other down on-court, Swiatek was playing her first grand slam final at the 2020 French Open while Kenin, the Australian Open champion that year, would be named the WTA player of the year by virtue of her two major finals that season.
How things have changed. Over the past two years Kenin has fallen out of the top 400 and then returned to the top 40. With low expectations and pressure all on the shoulders of the No 1, Kenin burst into the match striking the ball beautifully and offering a reminder of her own credentials. Kenin took the ball early, she hanged directions with ease off both wings, maintaining excellent depth as she imposed significant pressure on Swiatek.
While the American broke serve first and she played brilliantly in the early stages of the match, Swiatek elevated her level in the decisive moments without hesitation. After playing a brilliant return game at 4-5, Swiatek rolled through the tie-break playing clean, fearless attacking tennis until the end. Swiatek’s draw does not get any easier. She will now face Danielle Collins, who dismantled her to reach the final here in 2022. Despite a difficult 2023 for Collins, she perfectly fits the profile of flat-hitting, relentless ball-strikers who tend to be most successful against the Pole.
For Rybakina, the challenge of facing a former No 1 player only meant that she would have to be extremely sharp. After losing her opening service game, Rybakina served well and played an extremely solid match.
“It was really tough match,” said Rybakina, beaten in last year’s final by Aryna Sabalenka. “Especially against Karolina, it’s always not easy. She has very big serves. Today I think her percentage of the first serve was pretty high, so it was not easy, especially the tie-break. Yeah, I’m just happy in the end managed to win the first set. The second was a bit easier. But still, I think it’s a good win, especially for the first round.”
