Rybakina warms up for Aussie Open with title run in Hobart

A year after failing to qualify for Australian Open, Elena Rybakina will enter season's first major with seeding and fresh off a title after beating Zhang Shuai 7-6 (7), 6-3 in Hobart International final on Saturday.  20-year-old Rybakina surged more than 150 places in WTA rankings in 2019 to finish at . 37. She'll enter Australian Open, which starts Monday in Melbourne, as 29th seed after reaching final at Shenzhen Open in China to start 2020 season and capturing her second career title a week later.

Rybakina served 10 aces and was superior from baseline against Zhang, who reached Wimbledon quarterfinals last year and combined with Sam Stosur to win doubles title at Australian Open. "It's amazing. I'm really happy with my win because last week I h an opportunity. I was really motivated," Rybakina said. “Of course I'm really happy and confident.”

Rybakina won't get much time to dwell on her latest win, with only one day off before her first-round meeting against Bernarda Pera at Melbourne Park. “Last year I lost first round in (qualifying) and this year I'm going to be seeded — that's great. I'm just looking forward to Monday.”