Aryna Sabalenka

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates with the trophy after winning the Women’s Singles final against Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 28 January 2023. EPA/FAZRY ISMAIL

Aryna Sabalenka mounts epic fightback to win Australian Open

Aryna Sabalenka rallied from a set down to defeat Elena Rybakina and win her first Grand Slam championship at the Australian Open on Saturday.

Aryna Sabalenka

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates with the trophy after winning the Women’s Singles final against Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 28 January 2023. EPA/FAZRY ISMAIL

Aryna Sabalenka rallied from a set down to defeat Elena Rybakina and win her first Grand Slam championship at the Australian Open on Saturday.

The hard-hitting Belarussian sobbed on the court after defeating the Wimbledon champion 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a 2hr 28min arm-wrestle on Rod Laver Arena.

Aryna Sabalenka earns Grand Slam breakthrough

Australian Open
The Australian Open final was won by Aryna Sabalenka. Photos: Backpagepix

The 24-year-old Sabalenka brushed away tears before receiving a heartfelt hug from Moscow-born Rybakina, after the pair took part in a thrilling match between two of the game’s most powerful hitters.

Sabalenka, the fifth seed, then dashed to her player’s box to join her teammates in celebration.

“Thank you, my team, the craziest team on the tour. We’ve been through a lot of I would say downs last year,” Sabalenka said, addressing her team after receiving the trophy.

“Thank you so much for what you are doing for me. I love you guys.”

She added: “I want to congratulate Elena for an incredible two weeks. You’re such a great player and of course we are going to have many more battles, hopefully in finals of the Grand Slams.”

Tense battle settles Australian Open

It was a fitting conclusion to two weeks of drama at Melbourne Park, marked by devastating groundstrokes, precise serving, and fantastic rallies from two players at the pinnacle of their ability.

Rybakina breezed through the opening set in 34 minutes, but Sabalenka clawed her way back in a 57-minute second set to force a tiebreak.

It was then a question of which of the monster servers would blink first in a struggle.

At 3-3, Rybakina, who plays for Kazakhstan, couldn’t locate enough first serves, and while she saved two break points, a third was too much, and Sabalenka was on her way to victory.

An ace put her up 5-3, and Rybakina held to compel Sabalenka to put her nerves to the test and serve for the title.

She was up to the task, but it took four nerve-wracking match points to beat the big-serving Rybakina after she blasted an incredible 51 wins and 17 aces.

Sabalenka will now be ranked second in the world, tying her career high.

After reaching her second Grand Slam final in seven months, Rybakina will have the consolation of breaking into the top ten for the first time.

Because of the ban on Russian and Belarussian players at Wimbledon, she received no ranking points for her victory.

Milestones for Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina

This year, both championship players broke new ground in Melbourne.

Rybakina had previously reached the third round of the Australian Open in 2020, while Sabalenka had exited in the fourth round in 2021 and 2022.

Sabalenka served first in the final and instantly double-faulted, eliciting a nervous laugh.

It was the kind of start that would have even Sabalenka of 2022 nervous, when she served up 428 double faults, 151 more than any other player on the women’s circuit.

But not today, with to her newfound confidence, she was able to answer instantly with an ace and roll through to hold.

Rybakina slammed 45 aces in her journey to the final, and she rattled off three more in a row to tie the match at 1-1.

Rybakina rallied from 0-40 to deuce in the next game after a second Sabalenka double fault.

When Sabalenka went wide, she stepped up and consolidated to lead 3-1, then served out with ease to clinch the opening set.

Aryna Sabalenka finds a way

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The second set began in a similar manner, with Sabalenka holding but under pressure on her serve.

She showed bravery at 1-1, holding with two aces before forcing her own break with strong groundstrokes to lead 3-1.

Another double fault gave Rybakina an immediate break chance, which Sabalenka saved with a power-packed backhand winner and a yell of “Come on!” to go up 4-1.

Sabalenka took the set after clearly picking up her tempo.

The third set was tense, with both players creating opportunities only to watch their opponent fight back, until Sabalenka eventually realized her ambition.