Elena Rybakina wins baseline, serving battles over Pliskova to begin Australian Open bid

When Elena Rybakina was broken at love to start her first-round clash with Karolina Pliskova Tuesday night at the Australian Open, one wondered how that might set the tone going forward.

If anything, the game was simply a blip on the No. 3 seed’s radar. With the two soon engaging in a clash of fierce baseline bashing, excellent serving and testing the margins, Rybakina eventually emerged with a 7-6 (6), 6-4 victory to launch her bid for a second major title.

“It was a really tough match for me today. Karolina, she played really well. It was not easy at all, especially a first round like this,” Rybakina told Andrea Petkovic on court. “Really happy I managed to win and survive the first set. In the second, it was a bit better.”

Pliskova played her part in delivering a dramatic opening set full of quality shot-making for those inside Rod Laver Arena to enjoy. After losing her break of serve in the fourth game, the former world No. 1 was later forced to save three set points before forcing a tie-break. Targeting Rybakina’s forehand and hitting her spots on serve, Pliskova built 5-2 and 6-3 leads.

It was then Rybakina’s turn to wipe away a trio of set points. Last year’s finalist skillfully saved the first of two on the Czech’s serve with a slicing backhand scoop winner off a net cord and erased the second when Pliskova mis-timed a forehand. Her third escape was the most intense, as Rybakina ripped an inside-out forehand that just caught the line.

Changing sides, Rybakina unleashed an unreturnable serve to take the lead—and closed with her fifth straight point thanks to another forehand miscue from her opponent in sealing the set.

Having traded holds to open set two, Pliskova fell behind 0-40 as her forehand continue to misfire. On her third break point, Rybakina converted with a deep backhand return down the middle that tripped up Pliskova’s footing.

The 2022 Wimbledon champion claimed 16 of her next 17 service points, and though Pliskova would save a pair of match points—one with great anticipation to pass Rybakina at the net—the Kazakh swiftly shook it off to wrap up the hard-fought contest in one hour and 33 minutes.

The 24-year-old has now won all eight sets she's played against Pliskova. Rybakina opened her 2024 season by capturing the Brisbane crown without dropping a set. She capped that week by dropping just three games to dismiss Aryna Sabalenka in a rematch of their 2023 championship match at Melbourne Park.

In the second round, Rybakina faces Anna Blinkova.