Abused by Elena Rybakina in a first run that escaped her, Aryna Sabalenka was able to regain her senses to reverse the trend. After a hung third round, the Belarusian went for her first Australian Open at the expense of the Kazakh.
First attempt and first Grand Slam title for Aryna Sabalenka. A few weeks after failing in the Masters final against Caroline Garcia, the Belarusian was able to escape the trap set by Elena Rybakina to win the 2023 edition of the Australian Open. It must be said that the Kazakh, titled last summer at Wimbledon, was able to make the best start. From her first break point, the 25th in the world took the service of her opponent to lead three games to one. Tightening the game on her serve, Aryna Sabalenka was able to find flaws in Elena Rybakina to the point of obtaining her first two chances to take her serve in the eighth game. If the first was not successful, the second was been the good one. However, the Kazakh was able to immediately get back in the direction of travel. Pushing the Belarusian back again, the number 22 seed in Melbourne needed only two break points to resume his service game in advance. Without conceding the slightest point on his commitment, Elena Rybakina wrapped up the first run as soon as the opportunity presented itself in just 35 minutes.
Tennis of the highest quality 🙌
What a point!@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/0sypghNPSP
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2023
Sabalenka did not let it go
An ascendant that the 25th in the world did not go far from confirming from the start of the second set. Indeed, during Aryna Sabalenka’s first service, Elena Rybakina had two break points without however managing to convert one. The number 5 seed, meanwhile, did not let the opportunity pass. After a tight fourth game and her second break point, Aryna Sabalenka took the lead over her opponent but nothing was easy. Before confirming the advantage taken, the Belarusian had to save a break point then, in the process, she was unable to take a second service game in advance despite three opportunities to do so. It quickly became apparent that this Australian Open final was going to be played in a third round, but Elena Rybakina decided to delay the deadline. The Kazakh saved two set points on her serve. However, his resistance did not last very long. On her commitment, Aryna Sabalenka sent the case and restarted the match after a set that lasted almost an hour.
Your #AO2023 women’s singles champion, @SabalenkaA 🙌@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/5ggS5E7JTp
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2023
Sabalenka trembled before concluding
After a disjointed second set, it took until the fifth game of the third to see the first break point. However, the world number 5 did not know how to seize her chance immediately. In the end, it was only a postponement because the seventh game once again proved decisive. Sensing Elena Rybakina in difficulty, Aryna Sabalenka pressed but saw her first two chances to take the service of the Kazakh fail. The third finally turned out to be the right one. Then leading five games to three after confirming her break, Aryna Sabalenka could not avoid the pitfall of serving to win the title. Indeed, the Belarusian did not go far from cracking in this crucial moment. After a double fault, it was a ball in the net that prevented the seeded number 5 from concluding. Elena Rybakina took advantage of her opponent’s gifts to have an opportunity to prolong the suspense but without success. Missing a third match point, Aryna Sabalenka was able to refocus to complete the fourth opportunity (4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in 2h29 ‘). A title that will allow him to settle on Monday in second place in the world behind Iga Swiatek when Elena Rybakina will enter the Top 10.