WTA Brisbane: Rybakina through to final in straight sets

Elena Rybakina beat Linda Noskova 6-3, 6-2 on Saturday and will play the winner of Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka for the title

SMI / Panoramic

Bren Gray

January 6, 2024

Brisbane International presented by ANZ •Semi-final • Completed

See draw

L. NoskovavsE. Rybakina

Elena Rybakina, the second seed, won against Linda Noskova 6-3, 6-2 to move into the final of the Brisbane Open at the Queensland Tennis Center on Saturday night.

The Kazakh maintained her hot form down under with a strong all-round display against Noskova, serving at over 75 per cent of first serves in and defending four of four break points faced. Notably, Rybakina’s touch was incredible against the Czech, displaying soft hands at the net with a markedly improved volley from last season.

Elena Rybakina hits a downright beautiful drop volley against Noskova in Brisbane

When she won Wimbledon, some people were critical of her volleys

She’s clearly put in a lot of work at the net

Federer would be proud. 🇰🇿 pic.twitter.com/GsFye3NNlx
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 6, 2024

Rybakina, ranked No 4, will play the winner of the match between top seed Aryna Sabalenka and No 8 seed Victoria Azarenka next.

Earlier in the tournament, the Kazakh defeated Australian qualifier Olivia Gadecki (6-4, 6-1), Belgian Elise Mertens, the No 13 seed (6-1, 6-0) and Russian Anastasia Potapova, the No 11 seed (6-1 ret.).

Noskova, ranked No 40, won against Hungarian qualifier Timea Babos (5-7, 7-6 (8), 7-6 (2)), Romanian Sorana Cirstea, the No 10 seed (6-4, 4-6, 6-4), Argentinian qualifier Julia Riera (6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-3) and Russian Mirra Andreeva (7-5, 6-3) in the previous rounds of the Brisbane tournament.