“A simply sensational final,” Aryna Sabalenka & Elena Rybakina’s impressive play in the Australian Open final leaves fans impressed
Belarusian tennis superstar Aryna Sabalenka defeated Elena Rybakina in three high-level sets to be crowned the new Australian Open champion.
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Two WTA superstars had a date with destiny. But only one could leave Rod Laver Arena as the 2023 Australian Open champion. The clash of titans came to a close. And in the end, it was former world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka who made good on the opportunity offered to her. As the 24-year-old realized her dream and won her first-ever Grand Slam title, she defeated reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in three sets.
A scoreline of 4-6, 6-3, and 6-4 might look straightforward on paper. The match, on the other hand, was anything but. Tennis fans were treated to a WTA spectacle. As the two most in-form ladies went at it with everything they had. This championship round had it all. From pin-point accurate service games to ridiculous returns. Both Sabalenka and Rybakina fancied their chances from behind the baseline. As a result, tennis enthusiasts were treated to phenomenal rallies and incredible gets by both players.
Her fans & ardent supporters took to Twitter to congratulate the new champion.
That’s not all, Sabalenka’s fans took to Twitter to congratulate the newly crowned queen of Melbourne. She’d surely become an overwhelming favorite and the girl to beat at every tournament she plays, starting in February. As a result of this monumental achievement, she’ll make her comeback to the 2nd position in the WTA world rankings.
Sabalenka lost the first set, as Rybakina looked poised for another title run. But having saved a breakpoint at the beginning of the second set, the Belarusian kept her calm and made sure she capped her tournament in the best manner possible. She suffered a setback in the opening exchanges of the match, as she lost her first set this year. Going a perfect 12/12 in her run to the final, she locked horns with the cold-blooded terminator Rybakina.
Related – Aryna Sabalenka is the Australian Open champion
A set down, Sabalenka went into resurgence mode
Sabalenka put the match back on serve late in the first set, but Rybakina responded by breaking the eventual champion’s serve yet again to go up 5-4 in the first. She served it out comfortably, to put herself a set away from winning her second Grand Slam. To add to her Slam trophy cabinet, all she had to do was win another set against Sabalenka. But it was easier said than done.
Sabalenka’s powerful serve was on full display as she blasted 17 aces and won 72% of her first serve points. Rybakina started the match nearly perfectly as she disguised both her out-wide and down the T serves incredibly well. Sabalenka’s aggression & excitement managed to get the better of her at certain points in the match, as she made seven double faults.
Rybakina fought back and showed nerves of steel late in the final set, saving three championships points. Sabalenka was bothered on serve ever since she broke Rybakina early in the third set. But it was her mental fortitude, something she surely has worked on recently, which brought it home for her in the end.
It was in the fourth time of asking, that Aryna Sabalenka put to rest every shred of doubt people had about her. As she converted her championship point, albeit through an unforced error by Rybakina. The champion sunk to the floor, as she contemplated the magnitude of her achievement.
It goes without saying, but the 2023 ATP & WTA seasons are off to a blockbuster opening act. Sabalenka is still undefeated this year. And by the looks of it, beating her would be incredibly difficult this time around.
In case you missed it:-
- Aryna Sabalenka beats Elena Rybakina to clinch the 2023 Austarlian Open
- Who is the chair umpire for the Women’s Singles finals at the 2023 Australian Open?
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Vitasta Singh
(691 Articles Published)