Wimbledon champion Elina Rybakina defeated Jelena Ostapenko to reach her first Australian Open semi-final.
Rybakina fired 11 aces and 24 winners as she claimed a dominant 6-2 6-4 victory over Latvia’s Ostapenko.
The Kazakhs wrapped up victory in one hour and 19 minutes after a lengthy rain delay at Rod Laver Arena.
The 22nd-seeded Rybakina will face either American world number three Jessica Pegula or two-time champion Victoria Azarenka for a place in the final.
“I’m very happy to reach the semi-finals for the first time,” said Rybakina, the youngest player left in the women’s draw.
“Of course I was nervous, especially in the last game. I’m very happy that I managed the emotions and I played very well today.”
Despite securing the most prestigious title of her career with her surprise win at Wimbledon, Rybakina dropped to 25th in the world – where she remains – as ranking points are not awarded at the grass-court majors.
He then spoke about not feeling like a Grand Slam champion and started his Melbourne campaign on Court 13 instead of the Show Court.
Restored to the main stage at Melbourne Park, she followed up with another devastating display against 2017 French Open winner Ostapenko with a stunning win over top seed Iga Swiatek.
“I think I got all the Wimbledon experience and it’s helping me this time here in Australia. I know what to expect,” Rybakina said.
“[I’m] feeling good on the court and enjoying every match I’m playing here.”
In a meeting between two of the three major champions still in the last eight, Rybakina made a confident start as she broke 17th seed Ostapenko’s serve in the opening game.
He had another chance in game five with his powerful shotmaking before play was suspended due to rain, coming back after nearly half an hour to take a double break lead and eventually take the set under the roof. served
Ostapenko threatened to fight back with a break at the start of set two but Rybakina quickly extinguished those hopes, recording back-to-back breaks in response to focus on her second major semi-final.
He sealed the match in fitting fashion, serving the final ace to extend his tournament-leading tally to 35.
