Rybakina says the courts and conditions here may make this final a little less slam-bang.
“We know each other’s game very well,” she says of Sabalenka. “It’s a lot about physical, I would say also, because here, the ball is heavy, the rallies a little bit longer than on the other hard courts, which are a little bit quicker.
“It’s gonna be difficult match where we both gonna try to serve well, that’s for sure, put pressure, and, I mean, we will see what’s gonna happen.”
Whatever happens, it’s going to happen early. The final is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. California time, which may mean the crowd files in as the match progresses. Sabalenka has played a lot of finals where she isn’t the crowd favorite, so she may enjoy the chance to compete in a more peaceful setting. But if it’s bright and breezy, and she’s on edge, the conditions may affect more than they will Rybakina, who still comes in with less pressure on her.
