An in-form Victoria Azarenka is hoping to step back in the time machine of 10 years ago, where she took home back-to-back Australian Open trophies.
The 2012 and 2013 winner has dropped only two sets so far this tournament and has taken down some strong opponents, including American trio Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys and Sofia Kenin.
However, her opponent, Elena Rybakina is in just as good nick on the court, dropping one set in the five matches so far.
The Kazakh took down world No.1 Iga Swiatek in the fourth round as well as Danielle Collins and Jelena Ostapenko.
Azarenka is hoping to add a third Melbourne Park victory to her name while Rybakina is looking to build on her 2022 Wimbledon win.
The Sporting News has all the details you need to make your punting decisions.
Elena Rybakina vs Victoria Azarenka odds
To Win | USA (BetMGM) | UK (Skybet) | Australia (Sportsbet) |
Elena Rybakina | -210 | 4/9 | 1.43 |
Victoria Azarenka | +170 | 13/8 | 2.78 |
Spread | USA (BetMGM) | UK (Skybet) | Australia (Sportsbet) |
Elena Rybakina (-3.5 games) | -115 | 5/6 | 1.89 |
Victoria Azarenka (+3.5 games) | -120 | 5/6 | 1.87 |
Elena Rybakina vs Victoria Azarenka form and betting trends
Rybakina begins the match as a hot favourite after some stellar performances at the Australian Open thus far.
The Kazakh has downed world No.1 Iga Swiatek, 13th seed Danielle Collins and an in-form Jelena Ostapenko.
The 23-year-old can also take a lot of confidence from Wimbledon 2022 after taking home the crown.
Ironically, Rybakina is the second-highest seed left in the Melbourne Park tournament, behind fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka.
The semi-finalist will take a lot of confidence into this match against Azarenka, especially since she beat her at Indian Wells in 2022.
However, the experienced and former Australian Open champion will be no easy beat.
Azarenka is in career-best form at 33 years of age, taking down some big names in the past nine days.
Americans Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys and Sofia Kenin were all victims of the Belarusian's tennis prowess as she raced to the final four of the Grand Slam.
Azarenka also made the quarter finals at the Adelaide International 1, the semi final at the Guadalajara Open in October last year and round of 16 at the US Open in 2022.
The two-time slam winner has been building toward a complete fortnight of tennis and is very much on her way to a third Australian Open title, if she bypasses Rybakina.
Elena Rybakina vs Victoria Azarenka head-to-head results
The pair have met only once, with Rybakina taking home the victory at the Indian Wells Masters last year.
Year | Winner | Score | Event | Stage |
2022 | Elena Rybakina | 6-3 6-4 | Indian Wells Masters | Round of 32 |
MORE: Australian Open schedule 2023: Full draws, TV coverage, channels & how to watch every tennis match
Elena Rybakina vs Victoria Azarenka preview and prediction
Our prediction: Rybakina becomes an Australian Open finalist.
The youngster has been faultless in the lead-up to the final four and we should expect the semi final to be no different.
Obviously, with much more on the line, the stakes have gone up dramatically but it's nothing Rybakina isn't used to.
Azarenka will be a tough opponent, especially when she's controlling the baseline, but the Kazakh has plenty of weapons in her arsenal.
She'll take tremendous confidence from her past three tennis matches as well as claiming victory against the Belarusian in 2022.
Azarenka's form will not go unnoticed and she'll put up a fair fight, but she may not get a chance to become a three-time Australian Open winner.
Prediction: Rybakina in three sets.
What time is Elena Rybakina vs Victoria Azarenka?
Times are approximate - subject to weather conditions and completion of prior matches.
UK | USA | Canada | Australia | |
Date | Thursday, January 25 | Thursday, January 25 | Thursday, January 25 | Thursday, January 25 |
Time | 8:30am BST | 3:30am ET | 3:30am ET | 7:30pm AEDT |
How to watch Elena Rybakina vs Victoria Azarenka in semi-final of the Australian Open
UK | USA | Canada | Australia | |
TV channel | Eurosport 1 or 2 | ESPN/ESPN2 | TSN1/TSN5 | Channel 9 |
Streaming | eurosport.uk | ESPN+ and fuboTV | TSN+ | 9Now/Stan Sport |
Australia: The Nine Network is the free-to-air broadcaster of the Australian Open 2023.
The Australian Open can also be watched on SmartTV's 9Now and Stan Sport as well as 9Gem.
Fans can also stream the Australian Open through 9Now and Stan Sport.
UK: Coverage of the Australian Open 2023 will be broadcast in the UK live and exclusively on Eurosport.
Eurosport 1 and 2 will provide daily coverage of the action in Melbourne.
UK fans can also stream the Australian Open through the discovery+ app, the Eurosport app, or through eurosport.co.uk
USA: Tennis fans based in the United States will be able to watch this year's Australian Open via ESPN. Matches will be broadcast on both ESPN and ESPN2.
ESPN+ and fuboTV will both offer live streaming during the 2023 Australian Open. FuboTV offers a free trial.
Canada: The 2023 Australian Open will be broadcast in Canada by TSN.
Matches will be shown on either TSN1 or TSN5.
Canadian fans are able to live stream the action from Melbourne Park on TSN+.
The full TSN+ broadcast schedule can be accessed here.