Rybakina on a roll: Third round beckons as former Australian Open finalist breaks Gracheva’s stout defence

Elena Rybakina may not be at her imperious best on the court, but it is certainly enough to take down her opening round competitors, with Varvara Gracheva the next in line to feel the world number five's wrath, going out 7-5, 6-2.

A large number of the big names in the WTA event have already confirmed their spot in the third round of the Australian Open, with Rybakina looking to become the latest one of them. She played under the lights on the spectacular Rod Laver Arena with the fans staying up late to watch one of the title favourites do her thing.

She was not at her brilliant best at the beginning of the match, in fact struggling to hold on her serve in periods. Fortunately, she was able to break at the right times to sneak in front before a more controlled second set display got the job done.

If she is able to get up to speed, not many players will be able to challenge her. This has been shown in the past, specifically at the WTA Finals back in November where even the world number one Aryna Sabalenka could not get close. Her main weapon is her serve. However, she was only able to tally five aces in the entire match, while boasting a 76% first serve points won. She saved 71% of her break points compared to the Frenchwoman's 29%, and was better off in winners and unforced errors, completing a controlled performance.

The Kazakh was not the one to come flying out of the blocks. It was instead Gracheva who inflicted a damaging start to Rybakina, breaking enroute to a 3-1 lead. A four game spell for Rybakina got her firmly back in the match, going from a break deficit to a break advantage in the space of a few games.

It looked like she was going to serve it out but Gracheva had other ideas, clinching her third break point to put the match back on serve. It was a painful blow for Rybakina, but after the score went 5-5 she dropped just one point in two games as she finally got the first set under her belt.

It was now her turn to break for a 3-1 lead. with her serve now on song. In the second set she dropped just two point when serving, showcasing what a weapon it can be when in full motion. Those two points came in the first game, with three holds to love combined with a break put her 5-2 to the good. She could have waited to serve it out, but Rybakina took no chances as she broke once more to seal what in the end was a very solid victory.

She is in a very tough side of the draw with the likes of Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka possibly on the horizon. For now, she is not having to think about that. What she will be concerned now is her third round matchup against 18-year-old Tereza Valentova, who is set to make a maiden third round appearance.