Aryna Sabalenka stuns tennis world in 'insane' scenes in Australian Open final
Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina put together an incredible final.
The tennis world has gone wild over the incredible women's Australian Open final after Aryna Sabalenka defeated Elena Rybakina in a thrilling three-set epic. Sabalenka lost her first set of the Australian Open after Rybakina started on fire in front of a packed Rod Laver Arena.
Sabalenka's serve wobbled under the pressure in the first set as Rybakina won the battle at the back of the court to win 6-4. However, Sabalenka lifted her game and hit winner after winner to run through the second set 6-3 and level the match.
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The third set was played at an incredible tempo and level as Sabalenka got a break and had the opportunity to serve for the championship at 5-4. Sabalenka had championship point, but her nerves got the better of her as she served a double fault.
Rybakina saved another match point after Sabalenka's forehand went wide. The drama of the final match continued as Sabalenka couldn't convert a third championship point. But the Belarusian didn't let another chance go begging as Rybakian's forehand went long handing Sabalenka her maiden grand slam title with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 win.
"What an incredible match," Jelena Dokic said in commentary. The tennis world erupted over the incredible final, which lasted for more than two and half hours at the highest-level.
Omg I cannot . It’s so good. I don’t want anyone to lose 😢
— Daria Saville (@Daria_gav) January 28, 2023
24yo Aryna Sabalenka is a GRAND SLAM champion!
Beats Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a fantastic final to win the #AusOpen.
11-0 to start 2023, well deserved. pic.twitter.com/PadtM4hrGw— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 28, 2023
This is an amazing women’s #AusOpen final. If you’re not watching you should. It’s been top notch and going to a third and deciding set.
— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) January 28, 2023
How often do you get the match of the tournament in the final?
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) January 28, 2023
Aryna Sabalenka, Grand Slam CHAMPIONpic.twitter.com/8uFmW7J7BK
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) January 28, 2023
Aryna Sabalenka wins a match that felt more like a bout. Handled the pressure and an often brilliant opponent in Elena Rybakina to win the Australian Open and her first major 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
Heck of a final pic.twitter.com/Ceve8MrLZx— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) January 28, 2023
The moment Aryna Sabalenka became a Grand Slam champion for the first time.
It was a phenomenal battle with Elena Rybakina. pic.twitter.com/HXcWEAnNlK— Gaspar Ribeiro Lança (@gasparlanca) January 28, 2023
That was some women’s AO final. Well done ladies 👏 Brilliant tennis.
— Darren Cahill (@darren_cahill) January 28, 2023
Sabalenka's path to her 1st Major🏆
524 total points won
247 winners
47.13% of all points from Sabalenka were direct winners. Sustained power tennis and accuracy from another planet. This is utterly INSANE. #AusOpen https://t.co/PKrY3vH0EY— Vansh (@vanshv2k) January 28, 2023
How often do you get the match of the tournament in the final?
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) January 28, 2023
By far the best quality WTA final in the last decade. Was cheering for Elena but Aryna deserves it. Unreal tennis #AusOpen #AustralianOpen
— Dr Sabrina Sghirripa (@ssghirripa) January 28, 2023
If you’re awake and you like high level competition… I’d get to @espn asap amazing women’s final is building to a crescendo….. #GripAndRip 🎾 at its best… @AustralianOpen https://t.co/uQ8PmDA1rO
— Dave Ross (@drosssports) January 28, 2023
The Belarusian's watershed win completes a glorious unbeaten summer in which the 24-year-old also claimed the Adelaide International title and dropped only one set in 11 matches to vault herself back to World No.2. Her success completes one of the great transformations in sport after Sabalenka, gripped by serving yips, departed Melbourne last year following 56 soul-destroying double-faults in just four matches.
With a tour-topping 428 doubles for 2022, Sabalenka desperately turned to a psychologist - and the results have been stunning. The once-fragile, volatile unfulfilled talent hasn't lost since falling to Caroline Garcia in last year's season-sending championship final and out-aced Rybakina, the Open's ace leader, 17 to nine in the final.
Ash Barty hands over Australian Open trophy
Earlier, Barty made an appearance to hand over the trophy. While Barty has denied any chance of making a return to tennis, she has made an appearance in Melbourne during the Australian Open.
And in a surprise move, Barty lifted the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup at Melbourne Park on Saturday night and symbolically moved it to the next champion's podium. She received a raucous ovation from adoring fans at Rod Laver Arena.
with AAP
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