Elena Rybakina may scarcely look or really feel extra comfy after taking one other big stride in the direction of a second grand slam crown in eight heady months.
The Wimbledon champion was the primary participant to energy into the Australian Open semi-finals following a rain-interrupted however in any other case commanding straight-sets victory over Seventeenth seed Jelena Ostapenko.
There was no let-down from Rybakina’s gorgeous fourth-round upset win over world No.1 Iga Swiatek because the Russian-born Kazakh routed Ostapenko 6-2 6-4 on Tuesday.
Rybakina’s reward is a shot at two-time Open champion Victoria Azarenka on Thursday for a berth within the last after the Belarusian surprised world No.3 Jessica Pegula 6-4 6-1.
Play was stopped for about half an hour as officers scrambled to mop up the saturated court docket after a flash storm hit Melbourne, after which needed to shut the roof at Rod Laver Arena.
But the delay did little to sluggish Rybakina, who returned to transform a 3-1 first-set benefit right into a fourth straight-sets victory from 5 matches this marketing campaign.
“The conditions were different, but then we expected that it can happen in Australia. You never know,” Rybakina stated.
“In the morning, one weather, then in a few hours it changes so you have to be ready always. There is the beauty of this sport. Everybody needs to adapt and I think I did really well from the beginning of the match.”
The world No.25 broke the Seventeenth-seeded Ostapenko twice in every set and completed with 24 winners to the Latvian’s 19 in a dominant show.
She sealed victory along with her eleventh ace after 79 minutes to take her Open tally to a girls’s tournament-leading 35.
“I am super happy to be in the semi-final. It was an amazing atmosphere. Thank you very much, everybody,” Rybakina informed the gang.
“Of course, I was nervous, especially in the last game, to be honest. Not as nervous as before the match. I am super happy that I managed with emotions and I played very well today.”
Somewhat unusually for a 23-year-old on the pointy finish of a grand slam for less than the second time, there is no trace of hysteria emanating from Rybakina.
She stated successful tennis’s best prize one golden Saturday afternoon final July definitely helps relieve the strain.
“Of course I got all the experience at Wimbledon, and it’s helping me now this time here in Australia and I know what to expect,” Rybakina stated.
“For sure it’s just easier in this case after Wimbledon. I’m feeling good on the court and just really enjoying every match I’m playing here.”
Rybakina wasn’t at all times so relaxed.
“I had a tough period before Wimbledon in the sense I was very tired mentally,” she stated.
“I played a lot of tournaments so I was not at my best and I took a break. So it was kind of not really an expected win at Wimbledon.
“But right here it is totally different as a result of, initially, I already did it as soon as, and naturally I acquired assured that I can do it once more.
“I did really good preparation with the team. I’m not really surprised with the results. I’m happy. I’m just hungry to work and improve more.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
