Rybakina holds off Sabalenka to win AO title

Elena Rybakina withstood a mid-match surge from two-time winner Aryna Sabalenka, with the Kazakh fighting back from 3-0 down in the final set to win her first Australian Open 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 on Saturday.

The ice queen of tennis who lets her racquet do most of her speaking, snatched the match from the world No. 1,  beaten in a second consecutive final at Melbourne Park in just under two and a half hours as the pair played for the 15th time.

“It’s hard to find words,” the quiet winner said after lifting her second major after winning Wimbledon, 2022.

“Congrats to Aryna for amazing results for a couple of years. I know today was tough but I hope we play may more times together.

“It was such an incredible battle and the crowd support kept us going.

“This really is the Happy Slam and I always enjoy coming here to play.”.

Rybakina has now won 20 of her last 21 matches, defeating Sabalenka in their last meeting for the title at the WTA Finals in Saudi two months ago. 

The defeat prevented Sabalenka from a trophy hat-trick in Melbourne and reversed the result here from 2023 when Sabalenka beat Rybakina for her first trophy here.

“I’m speechless right now, Elena played incredible tennis and had an incredible achievement.

“I always look forward to playing in Australia, I just hope next year (here) will be a better one for me.

“Thanks to my team who had to watch a losing final. But sometimes we win them so let’s hope for the best.

“Hopefully next time the Daphne (trophy) will be ours.”

Sabalenka began the third set in dominating fashion with a break and a 3-0 lead. But Rybakina got the break back for 2-3 and earned insurance with another service break for a 4-3 lead.

Three games later it was done, with Rybakina pounding over an ace on match point. 

Rybakina got away to a fast start with a break of Sabalenka in the opening game. The situation left the top seed on the back foot as she earned just two points in the opening two games of the final

Rybakina stayed the course as the two-time winner edged back in, with the Kazakh saving a pair of break points to claim a 5-3 lead before closing out the opening in 37 minutes on her first chance.

Sabalenka re-grouped immediately in the second set and shifting the pressure back onto her opponent.

The top seed squared the final at a set each with a break in the final game, with Rybakina lunging for a return which landed out.

Sabalenka extended her dominance as she won six consecutive games to earn a 3-0 lead in the deciding set before the former Wimbledon winner managed to earn a game for 1-3.