Aryna Sabalenka cruised her way to a maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open with a 4-6 6-3 6-4 victory over Kazakhstan’s 22nd seed Elena Rybakina on Saturday in a thrilling final between two of the world’s most exciting power-hitters. Of. Women’s game.
An 11th straight win of the year also means the Belarussian will return to a career-high ranking of No. 2 behind Iga Swiatek, the reward for her improved mental stability and serve to emerge as a real threat at major tournaments. will get.
Fifth seed Sabalenka put Rybakina ahead 3-1 after dropping her huge serve with a double fault and hitting a forehand long, but the Kazakh succumbed to the pressure and leveled the opening set at 4-4. permitted to.
Rybakina hit back immediately, however, turning up the heat in gusty conditions at Rod Laver Arena, Sabalenka double-faulted for the fifth time to take another break, and going on to seal the set with a big serve that The Belarusian returned to the net. ,
It was the first time Adelaide champion Sabalenka had dropped a set in 11 matches this year and the 24-year-old started to show a bit of her nerves before saving two breakpoints in the opening game of the next set.
Sabalenka then broke a bit of consistency but recovered from a wobble to take a 4-1 lead before roaring back to level the match with her 11th and 12th aces. Melbourne Park for the third set.
Sabalenka served with poison and hit a deep return breaking Rybakina’s defense in the deciding game to lead 5-3. She then double faulted a match point and lost two more before finally winning the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.
She walked to Rybkina’s side of the court and hugged her before climbing up to hug her team in their players’ box.
The text of this story is published from a wire agency feed without any modification.
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