Barty up for a huge challenge

BEATEN in Australian Open qualifying last year after hacking around on the fourth-tier Futures tour, Elena Rybakina is plotting a Melbourne Park ambush of world No.1 Ash Barty.

The most successful woman in tennis this season with 11 wins, a title and a final from 12 matches, the fast-rising Kazakh is into the third round of a major for the first time. Seeded 29th at Melbourne Park, Rybakina, 20, has surged from No. 450 in the world in little more than two years.

“I think I’ve improved every six months,” she said. “My ranking has gone up so fast, which is great, but it’s all been really fast for me. I’ve only had a private coach [Stefano Vukov] travelling with me since last February.

“He’s helped me a lot, tactically we talk about every player, and he’s made some technical improvements to my serve and forehand. We’re working on every little detail.”

Focus on every little detail has seen the powerful baseliner march into the third round — and Barty’s pathway — without the loss of a set.

Fitter than ever after a specific training block aimed at excellence in Asia and Australia early in the season, Rybakina reached the Shenzhen final before winning Hobart.

“I’ve started the year so well,” she said. “It helped me a lot because I had six weeks for pre-season. It’s the first time I’ve ever had that long.

“It made a real difference. Overall, 2019 was very successful and unexpected for me, as the goal was to finish the year in the top 80, but now for 2020, my goal is to finish in the top 20.

“It’s difficult for me to talk about my strengths.

“I can say that my game is aggressive so this is bringing the results.

“I have to improve a lot of things, especially my serve, approaches to the net — and the main thing for me is choosing the right decisions during matches.

“Definitely, I’m motivated by all of the other young players currently coming up on tour. It’s a new generation, and for the next years, they are all going to fight for the top.”

Barty and her coach Craig Tyzzer are well aware of Rybakina’s qualities as the French Open champion bids to reach the fourth round — or better — here for the second time.

The winner of the match will play either American Alison Riske or German Julia Goerges — Barty’s doubles partner.