KEY POINTS
- Elena Rybakina avenged her 2023 final loss by defeating defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.
- Rybakina seized first set with dominant power before Sabalenka leveled match with resilient comeback.
- The Kazakh player staged breathtaking recovery from 0-3 down in decider to clinch victory.
- Win marks Rybakina’s second Grand Slam title, adding Australian Open to her 2022 Wimbledon crown.
MELBOURNE: In a stunning reversal of fortune, Elena Rybakina toppled defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 on Saturday, erasing the memory of last year’s final defeat to claim her maiden Australian Open crown.
The victory secured Russian-born Kazakhstan Rybakina her first Australian Open title and a second Grand Slam trophy, avenging her loss to Belarusian Sabalenka in the final of the same tournament the previous year.
Fierce opening statement
Under the closed roof of Rod Laver Arena, the match began with immediate intensity. Rybakina, the fifth seed from Kazakhstan, wasted no time asserting her formidable power.
Her massive, clean ball-striking unsettled Sabalenka from the start, allowing Rybakina to seize the opening game and build control.
She consistently put the top seed on the back foot, sailing to a set point in the tenth game and converting it to claim the first set, sending an early warning to the champion’s camp.
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Sabalenka’s resilient response
Undeterred by the early setback, Sabalenka showcased the resilience that has defined her reign.
The Belarusian, who held a dominant hardcourt Grand Slam record, regrouped powerfully in the second set.
She created immediate pressure, forcing Rybakina to save three break points in a crucial early hold.
The relentless aggression finally paid off when a wayward forehand from Rybakina presented Sabalenka with a pivotal break.
The defending champion capitalized emphatically, leveling the match and forcing a dramatic third-set decider.
Decider for the ages
The final set evolved into a tense shootout where composure proved paramount. Sabalenka appeared to seize destiny, roaring to a 3-0 lead reminiscent of her dominant performance in their 2023 final clash.
However, Rybakina, drawing on her experience as a Wimbledon champion, refused to yield. She staged a breathtaking counter-attack, erasing the deficit with fearless tennis.
Breaking Sabalenka’s serve to lead 4-3, Rybakina held her nerve in the closing stages, ultimately sealing a historic victory on her first championship point.
New chapter for Rybakina
This triumph marks a significant milestone in Elena Rybakina’s career. By defeating the player who beat her in last year’s final, she not only claimed the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup but also demonstrated profound mental fortitude.
The win adds an Australian Open crown to her 2022 Wimbledon title, solidifying her status as a premier force on all surfaces and establishing her as a formidable challenger for the world number one ranking.
Gracious end to a stellar streak
For Aryna Sabalenka, the defeat concludes a remarkable 13-match winning streak at the Australian Open.
Despite the loss, her performance throughout the tournament reaffirmed her elite status.
In her post-match remarks, Sabalenka praised Rybakina’s exceptional level and expressed determination to return stronger, setting the stage for what promises to be an enduring rivalry at the summit of women’s tennis.
