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Aryna Sabalenka won her first Grand Slam title as she battled back to beat Elena Rybakina in a thrilling Australian Open final on Saturday.
Belarusian Sabalenka seized the initiative after dropping the opening set to win 4-6 6-3 6-4 and thus become the first singles player to win a major title under a neutral flag.
After receiving the trophy from Billie Jean King, Sabalenka said: “Thank you for the amazing atmosphere. And of course my team, the craziest team on tour I would say. We went through a lot of downs last year, we worked so hard. You deserve this trophy, it’s more for you than I. I love you.
“I hope next year I come back stronger and I will show you better tennis.”
Rybakina made the better start, breaking Sabalenka from 40-0 in the third game and easily holding until the eighth game, when the Belarusian made a good run and got the reward.
Sabalenka, who had previously won all 20 sets she had contested this season, then played a very poor service game, double faulting twice to leave Rybakina serving for the set, and she continued to love to take 6-4 and end Sabalenka’s streak. .
The Russian-born Kazakh pushed hard for a break at the start of the second set but Sabalenka held firm, saving two break points in the opening game.
Gradually the Belarusian began to turn the match in her favor, beating Rybakina on the winner’s side with more than two to one and leading 3-1.
The Wimbledon champion fought hard to keep a single break down, saving three break points in the sixth game and two set points at 5-2.
But Sabalenka held on to her serve, winning the set 6-3 with a second serve ace to send it to the decider.
Momentum is now with Sabalenka, and he is promoted again in the early stages of the decider, pushing ever closer to the line but rarely beyond him in what is surely the best performance of his life.
Rybakina held a break point in a long game at 2-2 but her resistance was broken two games later as Sabalenka moved to within sight of victory.
The final moments were not easy, Sabalenka double-faulting the first match point and then missing a forehand in the second as the baby cried in the stands.
But he pulled out his fastest serve of the match to save a break point and eventually clinch his fourth victory after two hours and 28 minutes.
Rybakina, who was watched by her parents and sister, said after collecting the runner-up trophy: “First of all, I want to congratulate Aryna. I know how hard you work and your team. have many more battles.
“Of course, I want to thank my team for the hard work they have done in pre-season and over the last four years.
“The atmosphere is amazing, I have goose bumps. Thank you all for your support and I hope to be back next year.”
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