Elena Rybakina rampant in statement opener over Kaja Juvan at Australian Open

Elena Rybakina has surged through to the second round of the Australian Open. The former finalist saw off Kaja Juvan 6-4, 6-3 to make light work of her opener in Melbourne.

Rybakina will aim to back up her incredible end to the season and go one better this time around in Australia and the fifth seed joins the top names in finding their route pretty unscathed in moving through thus far.

In terms of statistics, Rybakina led throughout the board which summed out how she won so comfortably. She hit five aces, won 83% of first serve points, 62% of second serve. She didn't hit a double fault and hit 22 winners despite 24 unforced errors. While also taking advantage of both break chances she got during the tie going 2/2.

Rybakina broke late into the first set as Juvan's serve finally broke down under pressure and that pressure told as the Kazakh did so at the final moment to claim the set 6-4 after neither player buckled up to that moment when it came to their service game.

In the second, Rybakina upped her return game slightly and got the break early. Albeit serving for the match was not as confident but she finished with an ace down the line which summed up a pretty dominant display. Juvan only got one break point which was basically the last point of the game and she didn't take it which allowed Rybakina to ease through to the next round.

Her serve in particular looked more polished than ever and she has made a statement to the rest with Anisimova, Gauff, Swiatek and Sabalenka all varying degrees of dominant in their wins early. But of course with Rybakina, she did win the last big title of 2025 lest we not forget in the form of the WTA Finals so in reality, she is perhaps on paper the best in form outside of the favourites for the title.

Perhaps given today's display too that might change her status in that billing. Albeit given how understated Rybakina is, she likely won't mind going under the radar at least for right now as she plots her course through. One that now sees her face off against Varvara Gracheva.

It will not be Lulu Sun or Maya Joint either if she wins that with Linda Fruhvirtova, the former Czech prodigy and the new Czech prodigy on the scene in Tereza Valentova finding their way through this morning and could yet face Rybakina in the Last 16 if she sees off the Frenchwoman.

“It was not an easy match. First set I was struggling a lot on the return. I’m happy with the serve. It really worked today. Kaja is a good player. Hopefully we play many more times," said Rybakina on court post match.

She was also asked about the first round nerves and whether she has some semblance of a routine to tackle that. “I try to focus on my game. Especially when I have a good serve, then it’s a bit easier to adjust. The return wasn’t going well. Then it was a matter of time. I was each game close. Some mistakes here and there but as we said it’s the first match. Hopefully I’ll play better and better.”

She got asked finally what she most looks forward to when she comes back to Australia, a place where she has reached the final in previous years.

“I feel like the tournament really improves each year. We are very lucky here. They’re treating us really well. I really enjoy Australia. Thank you so much guys for coming and supporting. I think it’s a very nice city.. some nice breakfast places. Also I have some friends here. If I have more time, there’s a lot to do here in Melbourne. But I’m trying to focus more on the tournament and on the recovery. Thanks again everyone.”