MELBOURNE - Two of the biggest hitters in women's tennis go toe-to-toe when Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina clash in Saturday's Australian Open final.
But in essence, it is also a battle of two players with contrasting personalities.
Belarusian fifth seed Sabalenka, 24, is in the form of her life and on the brink of a maiden Grand Slam crown.
She comes into the showpiece under the Rod Laver Arena lights on a 10-match unbeaten streak in Australia, having won the Adelaide International and is yet to drop a set in 2023.
She has also defeated Wimbledon champion Rybakina in all of their three previous meetings.
Sabalenka is brutal in her serves, her muscles generating spin and driving the ball through the court.
It is a trait she has always possessed but was often stymied by her fractious nerves. But not in 2023 as she finally won a Grand Slam semi-final at the fourth attempt against the unseeded Pole Magda Linette.
Rybakina, 23, has coolly moved through the draw, unaffected by the snub of her opening match being shunted out to the wilderness of Melbourne Park's Court 13.
The Russian-born player, who now represents Kazakhstan, has accounted for three Grand Slam champions on her way to the final, including world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.
This story is from the January 28, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 28, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Scheffler, Korda have golf world in their grips
Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda, the two leading players in the men and women's games, have produced the most dominant run that professional golf has seen in years and neither appears ready to slow down.
US antitrust body sues to block $11.6b Tapestry-Capri merger
Enforcers say deal will raise prices of fashion accessories, harming consumers
SMU poll finds 8 in 10 think if someone talks about suicide, he could do it
More than half of respondents falsely believe that most suicides happen suddenly without warning, a recent survey by the Singa Management pore (SMU) has found.
Woman claims to be Aliff Aziz's girlfriend, says she feels cheated
Singaporean actor Aliff Aziz is once again a hot topic among netizens, after a woman by the name of Sarah Yasmine alleged on Instagram that she is his girlfriend.
FAMI-LEE'S LATEST FIGHTER
Adrian, the youngest sibling, to debut in June and dedicates it to late sister Victoria
KLOPP CAN NOW FEEL INTENSITY OF DERBY
Reds boss prepared for tough Goodison Park test, says game is super important’
Inzaghi tastes glory by doing more with less
Simone Inzaghi has claimed his place at football management's top table, after clinching his first Serie A title as coach following a 2-1 win in the Milan derby on April 22.
Murray stays aggressive in late rally to down Lakers
Keep shooting. That was the message to Jamal Murray before he fired the game-winner at the buzzer as the Denver Nuggets erased a 20-point deficit to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 101-99 on April 22.
LAWN BOWLING ON A ROLL
More venues on the cards as sport eyes inclusion in home SEA Games in 2029
New rules on flexi-work requests aim to draw people to workforce: Work group
Guidelines will help unlock manpower potential, expand talent pool for firms