The women’s final is set at the Australian Open, and we have a blockbuster match in store for you. Two women who hit the ball hard, cleanly, and will be competing for Major titles for years to come will duke it out for this one. Will it be the Kazakh to win her second Major, after capturing Wimbledon last year? Or will the powerful Belorussian take home her first Grand Slam trophy? As always, our writers share their thoughts on the match. Predicting this match are Nurein Ahmed, Damian Kust, Jack Edward, Jakub Bobro, and Steen Kirby. Who do you think will win?
Australian Open Women’s Final Predictions
Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka
Nurein:
Both players are bubbling with confidence. But I feel Sabalenka is more of a complete player in this matchup. She has the athleticism to move with composure and work around her groundstrokes in fewer steps and more efficiently than Rybakina. I think a lot of people are not expecting an edge-of-a-seat type of match, but it should be a close contest with serve dominating the day.
Sabalenka is now past the mental hiccups of losing multiple semifinals at Grand Slam level and she has total control of her own serve and forehand. It would be an astonishing streak if she wins on Saturday (going 11-0 in 2023) given what she had been through at this stage last season. It has to be Sabalenka’s day of destiny, surely.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
Damian:
One thing is certain–the two best performers of the Australian Open found their way into the final. Who will take it is open to discussion. Sabalenka is yet to drop a set this year with 10 consecutive matches won in a row, including a 4-0 record in tie-breaks. Rybakina has been brilliant on serve in Melbourne and even after six matches, finds herself at 80% points won behind her first delivery. If they both bring their best, we should see a wonderful match. Contrary to my pre-tournament prediction, I’m going Rybakina, but it’s basically a pick’em. Maybe she can go after the Sabalenka 2nd serve and find an advantage there somehow.
Prediction: Rybakina in 3
Jack:
Kudos to Elena Rybakina for making the final. There’s been a lot of talk of the conditions being slower than usual but she’s served right through it to see herself into the Australian Open final. Some of her first signs of vulnerability this tournament showed against Victoria Azarenka but she rallied to close that first set and the match.
If there is another lapse in concentration, I’m backing Aryna Sabalenka to take advantage. Nobody pounces on second-serves on a hard-court like her at the moment, her serving reparations having filled her with layers and layers of confidence. It’s tough to bet against three tight sets but Sabalenka is looking reliable enough in the bigger moments to back as the winner.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
Jakub:
An exciting match-up to finish off a fun Australian Open. Two of the hardest hitters and best servers in the women’s game facing off on a fast hard court. This match goes deeper than that though. Rybakina, whose impressive Wimbledon title run was marred by constant questions surrounding her nationality, was almost forgotten by the end of 2022. The Kazakh had mostly disappointing results for the rest of the year and finished outside the Top 20 as her biggest career achievement was not reflected in the official rankings. After wins over Danielle Collins, Iga Swiatek, Jelena Ostapenko, and Victoria Azarenka to get to her second Slam final, Rybakina will not be starting AO 2024 out on Court 13.
Sabalenka has been one of the most frustrating and paradoxical players over her career. The Belarusian’s pure power potential has always been obvious but she has been held back by her consistency on serve and struggling to meet the moment at Slams. After working with a biomechanics trainer to eliminate the constant double faults, can anyone stop Sabalenka now? The 24-year-old is 10-0 on the season and through to her first Major final without dropping a set. Sabalenka’s opponents on her way to the final are less impressive than Rybakina’s, but in the final, I don’t believe that will matter. While Rybakina gave Azarenka a number of chances to take the first set, Sabalenka looked borderline unstoppable in her semifinal. This is her moment.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
Steen:
Sabalenka has won all three meetings, but they were competitive. Sabalenka continued her streak of not dropping a set in the semifinals despite a spirited effort from Magda Linette. Rybakina made relatively quick work of Victoria Azarenka in the semis.
These are players seeking their second (Rybakina) and first (Sabalenka) Slam titles respectively, so either way some history will be made. Rybakina is trying to back up what she did at Wimbledon; Sabalenka, however, the most in-form player in tennis right now. Given that, Sabalenka is the player who should go through but this match will go the distance.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
Main Photo:
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