Elena Rybakina has done her bit to set up a spicy Brisbane International decider, cruising past Czech teen Linda Noskova 6-3 6-2 in the semi-final.
Kazakhstan’s world No.4 — the 2022 Wimbledon champion and runner-up in Melbourne last year — has been in sublime touch in the Queensland capital this week.
But so has her conqueror on Rod Laver Arena 12 months ago, Aryna Sabalenka, who will play her Belarusian counterpart Victoria Azarenka in the other semifinal in Brisbane on Saturday night.
Noskova, 19, had spent more than eight hours on court to reach the final four and was no match for the 24-year-old Rybakina, who eased through in less than half that time.
Rybakina won 80 per cent of points on her first serve and saved all four break points in Saturday’s one-sided clash.
“We know each other really well,” she said of potential final rival Sabalenka.
“I’ll watch that match and try to do my best tomorrow. It’ll be a great battle.”
Danish world No.8 Holger Rune will face in-form Russian Roman Safiullin next in Brisbane, while Australia’s Jordan Thompson will back up from Friday’s defeat of Rafael Nadal to play second seed Grigor Dimitrov in the other men’s semifinal.
AAP