Elena Rybakina defeated world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 4-6 6-4 to win her second Grand Slam title with a maiden success at the Australian Open.
Kazakh star Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, battled back from 3-0 down in the deciding set by winning five of the next six games to triumph.
The victory came three years after Sabalenka defeated Rybakina in the 2023 final at Melbourne Park.
In the first Grand Slam final since 2008 featuring players yet to drop a set, it was top seed Sabalenka who blinked first under the Rod Laver Arena roof as Rybakina came out all guns blazing to break in the opening game and wrestle control.
The Kazakh fifth seed’s huge ball-striking caused all sorts of problems for two-time winner Sabalenka, as she comfortably got to set point in the 10th game and finished it off to send alarm bells ringing in her opponent’s camp.
Having arrived with 46 hardcourt Grand Slam match wins from the last 48, four-times Grand Slam champion Sabalenka found her groove and started the second set more positively, but Rybakina saved three breakpoints to hold for 1-1.
A wayward forehand from Rybakina handed Sabalenka the chance to level at one set apiece, and the Belarusian gleefully took it to turn the final set into a shootout destined to be decided by whichever player held their nerve.
Having beaten Rybakina from a similar situation in the 2023 title clash, Sabalenka unleashed a flurry of winners to go ahead 3-0, but the Kazakh erased the deficit and broke for 4-3 before securing the victory to add to her Wimbledon triumph.
“I want to congratulate Aryna for amazing results for a couple of years. I know it’s tough. I hope we are in many more finals together,” said the 26-year-old Rybakina.
“The support [in the final] kept us going. Thank you to the Kazakhstan fans. I felt the support!”
Sabalenka, meanwhile, said she was speechless in her on-court speech. “Congrats to Elena for an incredible run and incredible tennis.
“Let’s hope maybe next year will be a better year for me!”
‘What a final!’
Great Britain Billie Jean King Cup captain Anne Keothavong, speaking on TNT Sports:
“What a match, what a final. Quality tennis from both women. So deserved for Elena Rybakina.”
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