Rybakina expedites her Australian Open debut
After Sabalenka, Gauff and Swiatek had qualified for the second round of the Australian Open, Elena Rybakina was keen to emulate her rivals.
A finalist at the 2023 event, the Kazakh is one of the players to watch at the start of the season, now coached by Goran Ivanisevic.
Despite the imbroglio surrounding the situation of her former coach Stefano Vukov, Rybakina, now ranked 7th in the world, had to negotiate her opener well against Emerson Jones, 16 years old and ranked 293rd in the world.
The latter had been invited by the tournament organizers to take part in the Australian Grand Slam draw.
Rybakina, who had to withdraw from a number of tournaments last year, brushed aside all doubts about her in the first round.
Rybakina, who was in good form and physically ready for the United Cup, finished the match in less than an hour (6-1, 6-1 in 53 minutes) to advance to the second round, where she will face American player Iva Jovic.
"I've watched her matches. When you don't know your opponent well, it's important to try and concentrate on yourself.
The serve is an important part of my game. I needed several games to get used to her strokes. She's very young and very talented.
She has a great future ahead of her," said Rybakina on the court seconds after qualifying.
