Women's semifinal
The red-hot form of Elena Rybakina continued as the Kazakh launched into her first Australian Open final on Rod Laver Arena.
MORE: All the scores from AO 2023
DRAW: Australian Open 2023 women's singles
With the 'Original 9' watching on, the Wimbledon champion put on a fitting display to overpower two-time Australian Open winner Victoria Azarenka 7-6(4) 6-3 on Thursday night.
The build-up
It doesn't get much better than this: the best server of the tournament heading down the 'walk of champions' in the tunnel with the best returner of the fortnight thus far.
Azarenka had kept her opponents under pressure by making 87 per cent of all returns prior to the semifinal, leading the way with 52 per cent of return games won.
On the flip side, Rybakina was bowling down deliveries with the highest ratio of first serve points won at 81 per cent. The 23-year-old had won 87 per cent of service games (45/52) through her five rounds, too.
Who would make the best use of their strengths?
"It will be a great matchup," said Azarenka. Referring to a straight sets triumph for the Kazakh at Indian Wells, she added, "We only played once last year. Was a bit of a weird match for me. I'm excited to have that challenge."
"She's an incredible player. I think maybe she had a little bit of up and downs, but she's a very good, solid player.
"She's very powerful. Big serve. She's in the semifinal, so she's obviously playing amazing."
Rybakina, facing a third Grand Slam champion in a row after beating Iga Swiatek and Jelena Ostapenko, was not holding back about her intentions.
"I already did it once at Wimbledon, and of course I got confident that I can do it again. I did really good preparation with the team," said the No.22 seed.
"I'm not really surprised with the results. I'm just hungry to work and improve more."
Story of the match
With three consecutive aces to cap an opening hold, Rybakina set the tone before clattering a 135 km/h backhand cross court.
However, the experienced Azarenka made the first move. The world No.24 edged a cat-and-mouse net duel to break for a 3-2 advantage.
Another booming Rybakina backhand restored parity and the 23-year-old then soared to 5-3 up.
But Azarenka knows how to dig in and the former world No.1 raised the bar, connecting with a forehand pass on the run to ignite a spirited response.
For 10 successive points Rybakina's hitherto reliable first serve couldn't find the mark, but somehow she erased a 0-40 deficit to regain the momentum.
A tiebreak was needed and Rybakina emerged as the front runner. She strengthened her grip on a final ticket, breaking to love for 2-0 in the second set.
Her pinpoint striking, her raw power proved relentless. It was too much for a sixth opponent in a row.
Key stats
Two Grand Slam semifinals, two victories.
It wasn't one of Rybakina's cleanest performances of the fortnight, although she still blasted 30 winners past the reach of Azarenka.
With 89 per cent of returns landing in, Rybakina kept herself in contention in every game.
What this means for Rybakina
It was accomplished for the incredibly composed Rybakina.
"For sure I'm super happy, I'm super proud," she said. "I'm very happy to play her one more time.
"Today it was a little tough for me, different conditions, I couldn’t be super aggressive. In the end I managed to win and I'll try my best in the final, of course.
"For sure I got a lot of experience from Wimbledon, to be honest I just want to come on court and enjoy the moment, the atmosphere. I'll try my best, fight and hopefully I'm going to win."
The 23-year-old will meet fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka, who brushed aside surprise package Magda Linette in straight sets later on Thursday night, in Saturday's final. Rybakina is yet to beat Sabalenka in three career meetings.
What's next for Azarenka?
Returning to the latter stages of a major provides Azarenka with a perfect platform to produce another outstanding season.
Should the 33-year-old replicate her Melbourne Park form, she could do some serious damage, especially on the US hard courts.