Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina (AP Photo) NEW DELHI: World No. 5 Elena Rybakina won the Australian Open title on Saturday, defeating top-ranked Aryna Sabalenkova 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. The victory was exceptional for Rybakina and helped her avenge the painful loss she suffered in the final in 2023 at the same tournament. Three years ago, Rybakina reached the final and won the first set, but lost the match in three sets.This time she showed strong control at the beginning of the match and broke Sabalenkova’s serve in the very first game and took the first set 6-4. Sabalenkova struggled in the second set as she increased the intensity. She forced errors and eventually won the set 4-6 to level the match. The third set brought more drama as Sabalenkova raced to a 3-0 lead. She looked confident and in control. Rybakina remained calm and trusted her shots. She focused on consistency and slowly turned the momentum in her favor. She won five games in a row and pushed Sabalenka into defense with an emphatic service game.Rybakina then hit a master point as she sealed the victory with a powerful ace and celebrated with relief and joy. Elena Rybakin’s journey to her first Australian Open title:
- 1st row: bt Kaja Juvan (SLO) 6-4, 6-3
- 2nd place: Bt Varvara Gracheva (FRA) 7-5, 6-2
- 3.: bt Tereza Valentová (CZE) 6-2, 6-3
- 4th: bt Elise Mertens (BEL x21) 6-1, 6-3
- QF: bt Iga Swiatek (POL x2) 7-5, 6-1
- SF: bt Jessica Pegula (USA x6) 6-3, 7-6 (9/7)
- F: BT Aryna Sabalenka (BlR X1) 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
This victory marked Rybakina’s second Grand Slam title.She previously won Wimbledon in 2022.
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