Australian Open day 12 AS IT HAPPENED: Elena Rybakina survives scare to book rematch against Aryna Sabalenka in women's final
Updated . First published
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Rybakina gets through!
Elena Rybakina is through to the Australian Open final!
It was anything but easy in the second set as Jessica Pegula refused to give up and managed to save four match points, forcing a tiebreak.
But in the end, Rybakina proved too strong and took out the tight contest, winning the match 6-3, 7-6(9-7) to book a spot in the decider.
It sets up a rematch from the 2023 final against Aryna Sabalenka.
Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka. Getty
Tiebreak time!
Jessica Pegula just simply won't go away!
She has fought back to force a second-set tiebreak against Elena Rybakina, who twice failed to serve out for the match and a spot in the final.
First to seven - if Rybakina wins she's through, if Pegula wins we're off to a third set.
Rybakina back on top
Elena Rybakina breaks back to make it 6-5 in the second set and will serve for the match and a spot in the Australian Open final again.
Jessica Pegula smashes her racquet in frustration, knowing she let a big chance slip.
Pegula digging deep
Hold the phone!
Jessica Pegula saves three match points while on serve and holds, before breaking the serve of Elena Rybakina in the next game.
All of a sudden, we're locked at 5-5 and the match is back in the balance.
"There's no doubt nerves played a part there," Jelena Dokic said on Nine.
Elena Rybakina. Getty
Rybakina closing in
Elena Rybakina is just one game away from a spot in the Australian Open final, leading 5-3 in the second set against Jessica Pegula.
The fifth seed produced an epic ace to hold serve as her American opponent was heard saying "yep, too good" as the ball raced past her.
Rybakina has been on fire throughout the tournament and it has continued tonight.
"This is brute force ... amazing tennis," Peter Psaltis said on Nine.
Jessica Pegula. Getty
'Monumental' moment wasted
Elena Rybakina went up a break and had 30-0 on serve, but Jessica Pegula continues to dig deep and has levelled the scores in the second set.
"That is monumental in the context of this match," Casey Dellacqua said on Nine.
But just like that, Rybakina broke back AGAIN and takes over at 3-2.
Rybakina takes first set
Elena Rybakina takes the first set 6-3 in clinical fashion over Jessica Pegula.
It's going to be a long road back for the American in this semi final.
Elena Rybakina. Getty
Words of advice
Jessica Pegula is on struggle street in the first set and she's getting some stern words from her coach sitting courtside.
"He was just saying that she's going to have to do a bit more on that first serve or get some slice ... that's good coaching," Jelena Dokic said on Nine.
Elena Rybakina in full control at 5-2.
"You can see she's a little frustrated," Dokic said of the American.
Jessica Pegula gets advice from her coach. Nine
Early break for Rybakina
An early break for Elena Rybakina in the first set.
She leads 3-0 against Jessica Pegula in the women's semi final.
Elena Rybakina. Getty