MELBOURNE - Six months ago, Elena Rybakina broke down in her press conference after winning the Wimbledon title, admitting that she did not know what to do or how to react to clinching her first Grand Slam.
The occasion was perhaps too big for her, while she was also overwhelmed by emotions after being asked a question about her parents, who were not present.
"They would be super proud," she said then.
Regardless of the reasons, what had seemed so daunting has given the Moscow-born Kazakh much-needed experience, as she confidently made it through to Saturday's Australian Open final after beating Victoria Azarenka 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 on Thursday.
"Everything was new at Wimbledon," the 23-year-old said.
"Now I more or less understand what to expect." The 22nd seed was rarely troubled by two-time Melbourne champion Azarenka in the first semi-final on Rod Laver Arena.
She hit nine aces to raise her tournament-leading total to 44, and that could be a handy weapon in the final against fellow hard-hitter Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, who overpowered unseeded Pole Magda Linette 7-6 (7-1), 6-2 in the other last-four clash.
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