Rybakina beats Sabalenka to win maiden Australian Open title

MELBOURNE: Elena Rybakina produced a powerful performance to defeat world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open final on Saturday, claiming her first title in Melbourne.

The 26-year-old Kazakh won the match 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, turning the tables on Sabalenka in a rematch of their final three years ago.

With the victory, Rybakina captured her second Grand Slam trophy, adding the Australian Open crown to her Wimbledon triumph in 2022.

“I want to congratulate Aryna for her amazing results in the last couple of years,” Rybakina said after the match. “I hope we will play many more finals together.”

She also thanked the fans for their support, calling Melbourne a special place to play.

The final was a high-quality contest, featuring two players who had not dropped a set on their way to the championship match.

Rybakina made a fast start, breaking Sabalenka in the opening game and taking control of the first set with her strong serving and powerful groundstrokes.

Sabalenka responded in the second set, finding her rhythm and levelling the match at one set each after capitalising on an error from Rybakina.

The Belarusian then surged ahead early in the deciding set, racing to a 3-0 lead, but Rybakina showed resilience, fighting back to erase the deficit and break again at 4-3.

She sealed the victory with a thumping ace, before celebrating with her team and embracing Sabalenka at the net.

“I want to say thank you to my team,” Rybakina added. “We had a lot going on, and I’m glad we achieved this result.”

Sabalenka, who was hoping to win a third straight Australian Open title, was left emotional after the defeat.

“I’m really speechless right now,” she said. “Congratulations to Elena on an incredible run and incredible tennis.”

Rybakina’s triumph confirms her growing status as one of the leading forces in women’s tennis, especially on hard courts.