By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday January 6, 2024
Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina will play for the title at Brisbane, in a rematch of last year's Australian Open final.
Photo Source: Getty
If the first week of the WTA’s season is any indication, 2024 could be the year of rivalries.
Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina powered into the finals in Brisbane, setting a rematch of the Australian Open final in 2023, which was won by Sabalenka in three sets.
World No.2 Sabalenka battled past Victoria Azarenka 6-2, 6-4, while fourth-ranked Rybakina eased past Linda Noskova, 6-3, 6-2, setting the pair’s eighth overall meeting, and their fifth since the start of 2023.
Both Rybakina and Sabalenka have been in torrid form thus far in Brisbane. Rybakina has dropped just 12 games; Sabalenka has dropped just 15.
The best on best final promises to be a popcorn battle, and a potential preview of a late-round classic at the Australian Open, which begins in one week.
Rybakina fired 22 winners and saved all four break points she faced against Noskova to remain undefeated on the season. The 2022 Wimbledon champion is into her 15th career final and will bid for her sixth title.
Sabalenka improved to 4-1 against Azarenka and will bid for her 14th WTA title. Last year's Adelaide and Australian Open champion has been a force down under of late. She stretched her winning streak on Australian soil to 15 victories.
More to follow...