Rybakina routs Swiatek for AO semi-final against Pegula

Jessica Pegula and Elena Rybakina both advanced in straight sets on Wednesday into an Australian Open semi-final with both looking for a first-ever title in Melbourne 

Rybakina took total control of Iga Swiatek, pounding 11 aces to earn a 7-5, 6-1 defeat which sent the Kazakh into her second semi-final here.

Pegula finally broke through to the Melbourne final four after failing to advance in three previous quarter-finals, but finally got the job done against US compatriot Amanda Anisimova 6-2, 7-6 (1).

The 31-year-old swept up the opening set but faced resistance in the second   from the runner-up last season at Wimbledon and the US Open.

Pegula served for the win leading a sst and 5-3 but was broken, forcing her to pull out victory in a one-way tiebreaker, converting on the first of five match points.

 “It’s awesome to break through and finally reach the semis,” the winner said. “I knew after three quarters that it had to be coming.

“Ilike the conditions and have played some good tennis here. I was waiting for the time when I could come through.

“I knew she would step it up in the second set and breaking back (for 5-4 as Anisimova served to level the sets) was huge.

“I felt I could put pressure on her serve, so I told myself to gear up. It was tough as she pays with nothing to lose – that is dangerous.”

Rybakina, the fifth-seeded 2023 finalist here was ruthless in her demolition of Poland’s former world No. 1 Swiatek, who was kept in check throughout by the 2022 Wimbledon champion.

The pair of contenders knew each other’s games well, having played five times last season, with Swiatek winning the first round of those meetings before her rival took victory in a group match at the WTA Finals in Saudi.

“I’m really pleased with the win,” Rybakina said. “In the first set I tried to stay aggressive and put pressure on her.

“In the second I was able to play more freely and served better. Finding a way to win through my serve has really helped in my last two matches.

“Even when I was not doing well, I didn’t want to show any frustration.”

Swiatek, winner of six Grand Slam titles, remains jinxed in Melbourne, where she has never passed the semi-finals  (2022 and 2025).

“I’m not happy with the results. It was a high-intensity match,” the second-seeded Pole said.

“First set was tight, a few points made the difference. In second set she improved the serve. She was going for the shots, and it got much tougher.

.”I have some stuff I want to work on. It’s never been so, like, flawless for me playing on these courts, as they are fast.”