Elena Rybakina won the first set of the Australian Open women's final 6-4 against Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday to close in on a second Grand Slam crown.
Wimbledon champion Rybakina, who was born in Moscow but represents Kazakhstan, broke her Belarusian opponent for a 5-4 lead and then served out the set in 34 minutes.
Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina hits a return against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka during the women's singles final on day thirteen of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 28, 2023. (AFP)