Sabalenka to resume Rybakina rivalry in Brisbane closing

World quantity two Aryna Sabalenka beat Victoria Azarenka 6-2 6-4 on the Brisbane International on Saturday to guide a tantalising closing in opposition to Elena Rybakina.

It’s set to be a rematch of their 2023 Australian Open title conflict.

Sabalenka made her Grand Slam breakthrough by lifting the trophy at Melbourne Park final 12 months however misplaced to Rybakina within the Indian Wells closing and Beijing quarter-finals earlier than profitable the most recent chapter of their rivalry on the WTA Finals.

The Belarusian can enhance her 5-2 win-loss file in opposition to Rybakina on Sunday and bag her first trophy this season forward of her title defence on the January 14-28 Australian Open.

Top seed Sabalenka broke for a 3-1 lead with a determined return from deep that drew an error from her compatriot Azarenka on the web and overcame wobbles in her subsequent two service video games to say the opening set.

She saved two break factors to clinch the ninth recreation of the second set and accomplished the win when eighth-seeded Azarenka dropped serve within the following recreation.

World quantity 4 Rybakina earlier defeated Czech teenager Linda Noskova 6-3 6-2 to achieve her fifteenth profession singles closing and fourth in Australia.

“I love matches against Elena,” stated Sabalenka, who’s on a 15-match profitable streak in Australia having additionally lifted the title in Adelaide final 12 months.

“It’s always high-quality … I hope it’s going to be a great battle tomorrow and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Top seed Holger Rune overcame Roman Safiullin 6-4 7-6(0) within the final 4 of the boys’s draw, establishing a closing in opposition to second seed Grigor Dimitrov who beat Jordan Thompson 6-3 7-5 within the second semi-final.

“I think I did well to be honest. When he was hitting hard I was there with some good counter-punches,” stated the 20-year-old Rune, who reached his ninth tour-level closing.

“I managed to close it out in two sets, which is good for the energy. I’m playing better tennis every day and physically I’m feeling great, so I’m happy.”

Elsewhere, prime seed Coco Gauff will proceed her defence of the Auckland Classic title in Sunday’s closing after the US Open champion beat fellow American Emma Navarro 6-3 6-1 within the Australian Open warm-up event.

The world quantity three meets Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, who wanted remedy for a again drawback twice as she battled from a set right down to beat China’s Wang Xiyu 2-6 6-4 6-3.