Australian Open women’s final to be played amid tense political backdrop

A Russian-born player will face one from Belarus in the final of an Australian Open that has become increasingly caught up in broader geopolitical issues.

Elena Rybakina, who has established herself and represented Kazakhstan as an adult, is the latest player who will have to counter the high-volume power of Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka to repeat her relatively low-key success from last summer.

Due to Wimbledon’s no-nonsense status, Rybakina will be the lowest-ranked player at 25, but again she proved she is much better than that by beating another from Belarus, Victoria Azarenka, 7-6 6-3.

The women’s final of the Australian Open will be played amid a tense political context in Melbourne

Belarusian star Aryna Sabalenka defeated Magda Linette of Poland to reach the final

Russian-born Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan will compete for the Grand Slam title.

There have been tensions in Melbourne with some fans showing their support for Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Former world number one Azarenka was the third consecutive Grand Slam winner she has surpassed, watched by her sister and parents, with the latter two failing to reach SW19 last summer.

“She came to Doha last year and then the second time she came to Wimbledon and I won,” he said. “This time she is here with my parents, mom and dad, it is the first time that they are all together and I am very happy that we can spend the evenings together.” Sabalenka, who delivers her meaty groundstrokes with a squeak, has been set to win a Major for several years, but has suffered from nerves in her previous three semifinals and lost them all.

She made no mistake against Poland’s Magda Linette once she overcame the 7-1 tiebreaker and finished it off 7-6 6-2. She has now played twenty sets this year and won them all.

Since the Australian Open is open to all entrants, the winner on Saturday will be rewarded with a full share of ranking points.