Melbourne, Jan 28 (UNI) Aryna Sabalenka rallied early in the second set, then didn't look back as she beat Elena Rybakina 4-6 6-3 6-4 in a huge-hitting thriller to earn a long-awaited first Grand Slam title at Australian Open 2023.
Her response from losing the opener impressed further since Sabalenka hadn't dropped a set all season – and played in a maiden Grand Slam final.
Saving a pair of break points with gutsy play to begin the second kickstarted the comeback. Then at the end, Sabalenka saved another break point, converting on her fourth match point.
By the end of the encounter, Sabalenka tallied 51 winners and 28 unforced errors, while the Wimbledon 2022 champion countered with 31 and 25.
Indeed, the AO 23 women's final won't soon be forgotten. Russell Crowe was one of those lucky enough to be at Rod Laver Arena to witness the gladiatorial duel of the highest quality.
"I want to say sorry for my English because I'm still shaking," Sabalenka said as she was presented with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Trophy by icon Billie Jean King.
"I'm super nervous. It's such an inspiration to receive this trophy from you. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for our sport."
Sabalenka then turned her attentions towards Rybakina, and echoed the thoughts of an enthralled audience at Rod Laver Arena, and the millions watching worldwide.
"You're such a great player," she said.
"Of course we are going to have many more battles, hopefully in the finals of a Grand Slam."
A double fault from Sabalenka into the net opened proceedings on a humid evening with temperatures in the low 20s.
However, Sabalenka replied with an ace and finished with two in the game.
Anything you can do … Rybakina thumped three in the next game.
Few, then, would have predicted what was to follow. From 40-0, Sabalenka proceeded to drop serve. A Rybakina forehand pass helped the Kazakh.
Sabalenka pulled to 3-4 with a hold from 15-30 – defending with her backhand slice on a 14-shot rally along the way – and levelled at 4-4 as her returns matched Rybakina's first serves.
Sabalenka had all the momentum, but two double faults long on the ad-side contributed to a break immediately back.
Was the occasion getting to her? Perhaps. But also perhaps was the pressure applied by Rybakina's potent returns.
How would Sabalenka respond after losing that first set?
She was up against it straight away, 15-40, as the finale seemed to be getting away from her. Sabalenka produced the goods, though, crushing a body serve and deep, gutsy forehand on successive points. Timely.
Things got even better for her as Sabalenka broke for 3-1.
Keen to avoid dropping serve again immediately after a break, she ripped a backhand down the line to fend off a break chance. A huge roar followed.
How the match turned.
Rybakina was now hanging on, forced to avert three break points at 1-4 – two with aces – and two set points at 2-5.
Another twist? Not in the short term, as Sabalenka struck back-to-back aces – the second on a second serve – to seal the set. They were two of her 21 winners in the second.
Rybakina's clutch serving on break points surfaced again at 2-2 in the decider's first break point.
Sabalenka kept knocking on the door, however. And at 3-3, broke through it, but not before Rybakina produced first-serve magic on two more break points. On the third, though, Sabalenka took advantage of a second serve.
Working the point and getting the better of it now in exchanges, a forehand winner against a stranded opponent made it 4-3.
Was it straightforward from then? Given the stakes, the answer not surprisingly was no.
Sabalenka double-faulted on a first match point and missed a forehand wide on a second. Rybakina brought up a break point as the tension escalated – only for Sabalenka to finally find that first serve.
But she could finally celebrate on match point No.4 when Rybakina's forehand flew long.
She dropped to the court and wept, her racquet by her side, before the pair exchanged a hug.
No one can say this hasn't been coming for Sabalenka. Her Grand Slam crown means she has now won titles at each of the different levels in the top flight – 250s, 500s, 1000s and now a major.
Her ability to win on different surfaces makes her a threat at each of the majors as she bids to add more in the future.
But for now, time to bask in the glory of Saturday.
Sabalenka thanked her team, led by coach Anton Dubrov, who responded with heart signs with their hands.
"We've been through a lot of downs last year. We worked so hard. You guys deserve this trophy," she said.
"It's more about you than it is about me. Thank you so much for everything you are doing for me. I love you guys."
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