Reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina scored her first win in her three head-to-head matches against 2017 Roland Garros winner Jelena Ostapenko by the scoreline of 6-2 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena to reach her first Australian Open semifinal.
Rybakina has kept her dream alive of winning her second Grand Slam title following her triumph over Ons Jabeur in the Wimbledon final last July.
“I am super happy to be in the semifinals. I played really well in the quarter final, even with this rain delay and everything. Overall my match was solid. I think I have all the experience at Wimbledon, and it’s helping me now this time here in Australia and I know what to expect. For sure it’s just easier in this case after Wimbledon. I am feeling good on the court and I am just enjoying every match I am playing here. At the beginning of the tournament it feels like it’s such a long tournament, if you keep on winning. Now it seems already close. It’s still I am trying to focus just on one match. Now it’s close. That’s why everybody try even harder., fight for every ball. Now it’s only good players left. It’s gonna be tough matches”, said Rybakina.
Ostapenko had beaten Rybakina in their previous two head-to -head matches in straight sets at Linz 2019 and Eastbourne 2021.
A 20-minute rain delay came at an important moment, when Rybakina earned a break point. When the match resumed after the roof was closed, Ostapenko saved a break point. Rybakina converted her second opportunity to open up a 4-1 lead, when Ostapenko hit a backhand wide.
“I was up 3-1 and I earned a break point. I think in the end it was still a bit easier for me. I knew that she serves well, and no matters what happens in this game, the next game I am serving, so the rain break was an advantage. The break was not so long. So in the end I just stayed a bit in the gym, warmed up again, talked with the team, and went again on court”, said Rybakina.
Rybakina earned the decisive break to move ahead 3-2 and sealed the win with her 11th ace on her third match point.
“I was nervous in the last game, but I managed my emotions and played very well. The conditions were different after the roof was closed, but it can happen her, you never know, on the morning one weather and later it changes”.
The key in Rybakina’s match against Ostapenko was her serve.
“I would say that I always served big, but for sure when I started to work with my coach, we did a lot of changes on the technique. Like this, I gained even more power. It’s my weapon on the court. Of course we are trying to work on it. It’s always a lot to improve”.
Rybakina set up a semifinal match against Victoria Azarenka, who beat Jessica Pegula. Rybakina won her only previous head-to-head match against Azarenka in the third round at Indian Wells.
“Vika is a tough opponent. I played against her at Indian Wells, but like always I will try to watch the matches. For sure I will give my best on the court”, said Rybakina.