Australian Open Final: Elena Rybakina Defeats Aryna Sabalenka To Capture Maiden Title

Australian Open Final: Elena Rybakina Defeats Aryna Sabalenka To Capture Maiden Title
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Elena Rybakina secured a long-awaited moment of redemption at Melbourne Park, overcoming Aryna Sabalenka to win her maiden Australian Open title on Saturday night. Three years after suffering a heartbreaking loss to Sabalenka on the same courts, Rybakina reversed the outcome with a composed and resilient performance in the final.

The championship match followed a familiar pattern. Rybakina claimed the opening set before Sabalenka responded strongly, forcing the contest into a deciding third set. When Sabalenka surged to a 3–0 lead in the decider, memories of their previous Australian Open final resurfaced. This time, however, Rybakina remained steadfast, refusing to let the match slip away.

After two hours and 18 minutes, Rybakina emerged victorious with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win in front of a packed Rod Laver Arena. Renowned for her powerful serve, she recorded 47 aces across the tournament and fittingly sealed the title with an ace on championship point, before collapsing in celebration.

For Sabalenka, the defeat marked another painful Australian Open final loss, following her defeat to Madison Keys last year. For Rybakina, it represented vindication and her second Grand Slam title, adding to her Wimbledon triumph in 2022.

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RYBAKINA APPLIES EARLY PRESSURE

Rybakina set the tone early, breaking Sabalenka’s serve in the opening game to establish immediate control. Playing with aggression and precision, she dictated rallies with her forehand, repeatedly pushing Sabalenka onto the defensive. Although Sabalenka briefly steadied herself, Rybakina maintained her intensity, holding serve comfortably to move ahead.

The Belarusian earned two break points at 4-3, but Rybakina showed composure to save both. While Sabalenka struck more aces in the set, Rybakina proved more effective on both first- and second-serve points. After 37 minutes, she closed out the opening set, leaving Sabalenka searching for solutions as she chased a third Australian Open title.

SABALENKA RESPONDS STRONGLY

Sabalenka regrouped in the second set, displaying greater stability and authority on serve. She created early opportunities, including three break points in a lengthy service game, but Rybakina again held firm. The key difference came from Sabalenka’s serving, as she won 95 per cent of points on her first serve and used her second serve effectively to limit Rybakina’s attacking returns.

As the pressure mounted, Rybakina’s first serve faltered at crucial moments. Sabalenka capitalised in the 10th game, breaking serve to claim the set and level the match.

RYBAKINA PREVAILS IN THE DECIDER

Sabalenka carried her momentum into the third set, breaking Rybakina early to take a 3–0 lead and appearing firmly in control. Rybakina, however, refused to yield. Holding serve to make it 3–1, she then broke back, gradually shifting the momentum.

After saving a break point to level the set at 3–3, Rybakina found another gear. She won five consecutive games with fearless shot-making and calm under pressure, as Sabalenka struggled to regain control in the closing stages. With the momentum firmly on her side, Rybakina closed out the match to secure the Australian Open crown.

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