Elena Rybakina clinched her first Australian Open title and second Grand Slam victory overall by defeating Aryna Sabalenka in a hard-fought final at Melbourne Park, with a score of 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. Rybakina, seeded No. 5, outperformed the top-seeded Sabalenka in a match that highlighted her exceptional serving skills and poise under pressure.
The match began with an intense opening game in which Sabalenka faltered. Despite a generally strong serving performance, she was broken early when she lost her serve in the match’s first game, a setback she could not overcome. While she secured a higher first-serve percentage and hit more aces, Rybakina capitalized on crucial points, especially in key moments of the first set.
Rybakina’s serve, noted for its speed and precision, played a pivotal role in her performance throughout the match. Even though Rybakina struggled with her first serve, landing only 48% during the first set, she managed to come through on important points. At a critical juncture in the match while serving at 4-3, Rybakina faced two break points but responded with three powerful serves that left Sabalenka unable to return.
As the match progressed, momentum shifted dramatically during the second set. After a series of dominant serves, Sabalenka found her rhythm and clawed her way back, taking the set and forcing a decisive third set. However, her inability to sustain that momentum proved costly. After a strong start in the final set, where she led 3-0, Sabalenka fell into a series of errors, allowing Rybakina to claim five consecutive games and seal her victory.
Post-match, Rybakina expressed gratitude towards her supporters and her team, emphasizing her pride in representing Kazakhstan. Sabalenka, while visibly disappointed, congratulated Rybakina and expressed hope for a stronger performance in the future.
The victory marks a significant achievement in Rybakina’s career, affirming her resurgence in the sport, especially following her previous Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2022. This win also reinstates her position as the world No. 3, reflecting her continued improvement on the women’s tennis circuit. As both players reminisce over the intense rivalry that has developed between them, fans can look forward to more thrilling matches in the years to come.