sport news Elena Rybakina ready to claim Australian Open throne left vacant by Aussie ... trends now
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Now that she's conquered her rollercoaster anxieties, Elena Rybakina craves another ride to grand slam glory.
Rybakina enters Saturday night's Australian Open final against Aryna Sabalenka feeling vastly more relaxed than she did before last year's Wimbledon title match.
Chiefly because she reigned at the All England Club after enduring a nerve-wracking fortnight before breaking through for her maiden major.
Rybakina said she felt plenty of anxiety on her way to winning Wimbledon, but is not feeling the same nerves as she looks to emulate Ash Barty and win the Australian Open as well
'Everything was new at Wimbledon. Now I more or less understand what to expect,' the Russian-born Kazakh said.
Seven months after succeeding Ash Barty as Wimbledon champion, the 23-year-old is one win away from also following the retired Australian titleholder in getting her name etched on the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup at Melbourne Park.
Rybakina's coach is banking on his charge's experience of having already contested - and won - a grand slam title as being a 'big factor' that gives her an edge against first-time major finalist Sabalenka.
'Once you go through the rollercoaster ride once, you know what to expect, more or less, emotionally,' Stefano Vukov said.
'For the team and for the player,
