LIVE: Demon ‘peaking at the right time’ for deep AO run

There are some cracking matches in the three Brisbane International finals today, arguably none bigger than that in the women’s singles.

Almost a year after contesting the Australian Open final, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina will do battle on the Pat Rafter Arena.

Top-seeded Sabalenka overpowered her compatriot and two-time champion Victoria Azarenka in a 6-2, 6-4 win on Saturday afternoon, while Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon winner advanced with a 6-3, 6-2 win over 19-year-old Linda Noskova.

Sabalenka’s extended the top-seed’s winning streak to 15 on Australian soil, including a title run in Adelaide last year before her Grand Slam breakthrough at Melbourne Park.

That 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory in the Australian Open final last January was the highlight of Sabalenka’s five wins over Rybakina in their seven career meetings.

“Let’s just say it’s going to be a great battle as always,” Sabalenka said, looking forward to today’s final.

“Always great matches against Elena. We both play really super aggressive tennis. That’s why all the matches are pretty tight — we both put each other under so much pressure.”

Rybakina had 26 winners, eight aces and committed just 10 unforced errors against Noskova.

She has conceded just 12 games across four straight-set wins and said she felt like she was gaining momentum ahead of the Australian Open.