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Elena Rybakina has promised to “fight till the end” as she attempts to shed her one-slam wonder tag and avenge her 2023 Australian Open final defeat to Aryna Sabalenka.
The powerful Russian-born Kazakh, who made her major breakthrough at Wimbledon in 2022, has reached her third grand slam decider without dropping a set.
And the 26-year-old steps up to face a familiar foe with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup – plus a $4.1 million prize cheque – on the line at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday night.
World No.1 Sabalenka boasts an 8-6 record in their career meetings, while Rybakina was victorious last time when she won the WTA finals in November.
But the 2023 AO final between the pair, in which Sabalenka fought back from a set down to claim the first of her four major crowns so far, stands out.
“It was very close. Throughout the match, of course, I had some little opportunities but in the end of this third set, I think Aryna stepped in,” Rybakina said.
“She served much better. Yeah, she deserved that win.
“So, of course, many years passed, a lot of matches have been played.
“Hopefully with all the experience which I got from this last match, last time final I played here, I can bring it to Saturday match and do my best.
“Fight till the end, and hopefully this time it’s going to go my way.”
Elena Rybakina.Credit: Eddie Jim
Rybakina took confidence from her WTA Finals victory and has continued her hot form at Melbourne Park this year.
The Kazakh backed up a quarter-final thrashing of world No.2 Iga Swiatek with a powerful display against sixth seed Jessica Pegula.
“Definitely very happy to be in the final again,” Rybakina said.
“I was close other years, seasons, when I played semis in the other slams, but, yeah, now I’m closer, which is great.
“It’s just one step to go.”
Former US Open finalist Pegula, beaten 6-3 7-6 (9-7) by Rybakina in their semi-final, said her conqueror’s mental strength would hold her in good stead in the final.
“She’s always just tough, you know, she’s so chill,” Pegula said.
“She doesn’t really give you anything, and I think that’s hard sometimes.
“You’re not really sure if she’s upset or if she’s excited or what it is. I think in today’s game that goes a long way.
“You don’t really have a lot of energy to play off of, so I think that’s always kind of her No.1 thing.”
Sabalenka has also not dropped a set en route to the final, as she aims for a third AO crown in four years.
The Belarusian powerhouse was upset by American Madison Keys in last year’s final as the two-time defending champion.
AAP
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