A clash of styles is expected in the Australian Open final between world number Aryna Sablalenka and fifth seed Elena Rybakina. The two players have explosive power, and both are able to serve with deadly accuracy. However, their styles could not be any more different.
The case of Sabalenka
Sabalenka is a hard court specialist, as her Melbourne record proves. It is no surprise that she has two of four Grand Slam titles in singles here. She’s widely regarded as the favourite. Belarusian aggressiveness can demolish even the best-prepared defenders as demonstrated by her win over Elina Svitolina in their semi-final.
Rybakina, however, requires more than just raw strength to defeat her. Sabalenka is working on improving her variety, playing forward towards the net and utilizing deft touch to overcome opponents. Her shots are flat, heavy and deep. Sabalenka acknowledged that the material was not an easy one to work with.
Sabalenka has a slight advantage over Rybakina in the past, having won eight out of 14 matches, including 2023’s Australian Open final. Sabalenka lost their most recent meeting, at the WTA Finals. Pat Cash, the 1987 Wimbledon winner, said: “Sabalenka is a little more powerful and can force Rybakina to areas that she does not want to be. But it’s close.” The pace of the two players will be fascinating to watch.
Sabalenka has always been a consistent player. Sabalenka has been to seven straight major hard court finals. She is only Steffigraf and Martina Hingis who have achieved this feat. Four years in a row, she has reached the Australian Open Finals. This shows her dominance. She acknowledges that she needs to convert consistency into trophy wins. The last year taught me a lot. “I’m prepared to fight this season with all I have,” said she.
Rybakina: The Case for Rybakina
Rybakina is often overlooked because of her calm and understated manner. In this tournament, the 26-year old Kazakh reminded her fans of how good she is. She has not been able to achieve the same heights as she did in 2022.
She hasn’t played in a Grand Slam since she lost to Sabalenka three years ago. Rybakina’s results might not match those of top players such as Sabalenka or Iga Swiatek. Coco Gauff has also steadily improved her game throughout the last two weeks. She said, “The serve may not work the way I would like it to. I have to concentrate on other aspects of my game.” I’m trying my best to remain calm and think during the game. “So far it seems to be working.”
Sabalenka could have a tough time coping with Rybakina if she loses her composure. This final is unpredictable because of her ability to remain calm under pressure.
Who will blink first?
The Australian Open final may come down to the mental as well as the physical strength of both players. Sabalenka is a player with experience, firepower and calmness. Rybakina provides consistency and calm. Tennis fans should expect an exciting, high-octane match.
