Aryna Sabalenka won an incredible final against Elena Rybakina at the 2023 Australian Open Sabalenka is the new champion of the Australian Open after a stunning come-from-behind win against Elena Rybakina.
A gasp was evident around Rod Laver Arena. It’s the elephant in the room and the theme of the women’s final for Aryna Sabalenka – her message.
The reason? It can fall at any time and we are talking about a hard melting zone.
In 2022, she committed 428 double faults, 151 more than any other player on the women’s tour. It was the yelps, but in support, the 5th seed threw the psychologist and put his head on the floor, finding his own way through the song.
Strong evidence that he is at the top because he has not lost his footing all year – as he went to the title in Adelaide and in the last two weeks at Melbourne Park. But the appearance of the first Grand Slam final can do things to people, so that when she double faulted in three games to give Elena Rybakina a break, there were many people who shifted uncomfortably in their seats.
But they are right to be afraid. Rybakina got a break and quickly took a 4-2 lead before Sabalenka got back to level one at 4-4.
However, two double faults – making it five for the set – returned the lead to the 22nd seed that did not require another invitation. Then, when Sabalenka had two break points in his first career match and the second set, the bad news of his weakness was history and the final was about to set him in stone.
In the next 50 minutes, the Belarusian did the unexpected. No, not to start serving under arms. In fact, it was the opposite, he calmed down to the point where he started hitting 150 mph on the second ball. It was scary but the turbo model – it had only one double fault for the set – paid off and finished the set with gear at 186 km / h and followed the second at 167 kph.
History is not on Sabalenka’s side despite her impressive second-round comeback. Only 10 women have returned after winning the opening round to win in Australia since the Open era began in 1969.
But these are special times. The 24-year-old played without a flag next to his name, and was not allowed to have flags or supporters wearing his country’s colors in the stadium.
It’s a new situation in women’s football with Ash Barty, Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka – the three most powerful forces of the last decade – gone and will be forever. There is room for people to take control and make it their own.
Sabalenka has long been seen as a big winner, but it has often been her mental strength – and through her professional associations – that has held her back. Not on this special night. After breaking in the seventh game, the Russian was left to take the match at 5-4. Another rising ace set up an early match point and, wait for it, two mistakes did that. He lost another race spot before sending off at 120 mph to secure a breakaway spot. Finally, in his fourth attempt, the women’s game has a new Grand Slam champion who, of which, most people cannot, did what many could not, drove the elephant from the door.
SABALENKA defeated RYBAKINA 4-6 6-2 6-4
Aryna Sabalenka is the new Australian Open champion.
It was not easy, as the 5th seed made two mistakes in his first match. But Sabalenka showed why she is mentally strong. He refused to be shaken and climbed on several large bowls and floor curls to pull him back. This is one of the best Australian Open tournaments of all time.
SABALENKA V RYBAKINA 4-6 6-2 *5-4
Rybakina holds that Sabalenka will serve for the match!
SABALENKA V RYBAKINA 4-6 6-2 5-3*
Four points! That is what separates Sabalenka from the name!
Can he do it in this game? SABALENKA V RYBAKINA 4-6 6-2 *4-3
After a six-minute marathon, we take a break and have a new leader!
Sabalenka fights back and fights her way to several break points, eventually winning the winner in the air from the back of the court.
It took courage to make the journey at that time. But he gets all the rewards!
He now has eight points to his name.
SABALENKA V RYBAKINA 4-6 6-2 3-3*
Sabalenka shakes off the frustration of not having that break point to hold at 15. It’s a great game. He dropped the first stitch and the window was well and truly open. But the 5th seed hit the 15th Ace to end any kind of challenge.
All eyes are now on Rybakina. SABALENKAV RYBAKINA 4-6 6-2 *2-3
The drama continued. Finally some pressure on the server, and Rybakina faced a break in this career match. But he settles it as you’d expect, scoring two big serves to end Sabalenka’s charge.
How long will this period last? SABALENKA V RYBAKINA 4-6 6-2 2-2*
So far, both players have been able to get through their first two career games in this final format.
Considering how they serve, how much vacation can you really expect? Will there be enough people to defeat him?
9:15 pm – SABALENKA takes the second step
Woah…how tall is Sabalenka!
Under all kinds of pressure in hell as he tries to serve a set, he cracks two big aces to get the job done. The second of them came in his second message, which was almost as bold as he got!
Now we are all locked into the same settings.
8:55 p.m. – SABALENKA leads 4-1, taps for a double takedown
If you want to know how close the end is, check this post. Each game in the second series went two.
There is nothing that separates these two players. It will only depend on who gets the free points in the service.
8:40 PM – SABALENKA BREUSE PREMIERE OF SECOND ENSEMBLE
Game on!
The first big moment of the second set went Sabalenka’s way and she had an opening break. What is the big change?
Sabalenka appeared a little more comfortable in this game. She plays within herself and pushes Rybakina forward.
In the end, it ended with a few mistakes in Sabalenka’s court in the main. The game was played at an incredibly high level.
“Can anyone be better?” “Ask Alicia Molik in the comments. 8:18 pm – RYBAKINA wins the first 6-4
Match the first set for the Wimbledon champion!
And there is no muscle to be found in this game.
Rybakina is eager to love taking space. Sabalenka’s language will be one to watch now. He’s been incredibly depressed ever since he missed that second break. He knows how important it is.
8:13 p.m. – RYBAKINA HOLDS FOR 5-4 LEAD IN OPENING
How will Rybakina answer our question? It’s like that. It continues its destruction by exploding back. That should discredit Sabalenka.
He has not been in front since the opening game and is four points away from losing first. 8:09 p.m. – SABALENKA IS OUT FOR A 4-4 GAME
Bang, that’s it!
After a tough fight in the previous match, Sabalenka broke down and returned to work.
Now all eyes are on Rybakina. How will he react to the first rush tonight?
8:04 p.m. – A great tackle keeps SABALENKA alive
It’s a big game and Sabalenka knows it. Trailing 2-4 and 15-30, the 5th seed was able to get out of a big hole with an ace bomb and two big winners on the floor.
Note this time if Sabalenka can come back and win the match. If the game is lost, the first thing is lost.
But instead, he screams so much that “come on” that he knows he’s always been good at that first part. 7:52pm – RYBAKINA takes first offense and draws first blood.
Has the Grand Slam final started like this?
That’s the question that tennis fans around the world will be asking as the start is amazing for the two women serving. Just three games in, we already have seven aces. On average, there is one ace per minute. But aces don’t guarantee a job, which Sabalenka found out the hard way.
In two of his second career games, he threw two fouls, followed by a cheap unforced error to give up the break. That’s it