Rybakina claims Australian Open title with victory over Sabalenka
Elena Rybakina secured her first Australian Open title on Saturday, defeating Aryna Sabalenka in a closely contested match at the Rod Laver Arena. Rybakina won 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, adding to her previous Grand Slam victory at Wimbledon in 2022, reports BritPanorama.
Sabalenka entered the final as the world No 1 and the favourite to win. However, Rybakina demonstrated remarkable resilience and skill, overpowering her opponent during crucial moments of the match.
Following the match, a visibly frustrated Sabalenka sat with a towel over her head, reflecting on the defeat. “Honestly guys I’m really speechless,” she stated to the audience, expressing her disappointment at missing another opportunity for a Grand Slam title.
Rybakina began strongly, breaking Sabalenka in the opening game to seize the first set. Although Sabalenka fought back to win the second set, Rybakina regained momentum in the deciding set, executing back-to-back breaks before serving an ace to secure the championship.
In her post-match remarks, Rybakina graciously acknowledged Sabalenka’s accomplishments: “Congrats to Elena for an incredible run and incredible tennis. She’s had amazing results for a couple of years and I hope we’re going to play many more finals together.” Rybakina also thanked the crowd for their support, describing the tournament as the “Happy Slam.” The atmosphere in Melbourne contributed to an unforgettable final, highlighting the intense competitiveness that characterises women’s tennis today.
This final not only underscores Rybakina’s rising stature in the sport but also serves as a poignant reminder of how even the most dominant players can face surprising challenges on the biggest stages.
