Belarusian player Aryna Sabalenka won the first Grand Slam title of her career by defeating Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina 4–6, 6–3, 6–4 in the Australian Open 2023 women’s singles final. The 24-year-old Sabalenka made a spectacular comeback after losing the first set and captured the match by winning two consecutive sets.
From the beginning of the match, Sabalenka was dominating her opponent. After winning the first game easily, Sabalenka took the lead in the first set but after a forced error in the ninth game, Rybanika came back in the game and won the first set after taking a 6-4 lead.
Sabalenka, who was serving for the second set, once again won the first game of the set, but again due to the forced error, Rybanika got a chance to return and the set was equal to 1-1. But with the help of her superb serve, Sabalenka took a 4-1 lead.
Sabalenka was appearing in her first major final
However, Rybanika managed to hold serve in the second set and tried to come back 5-3. But Sabalenka finished the second set in style with back-to-back aces. Sabalenka took the match to the third and deciding set by winning 6-3 in the second set.
Rybanika won the first game in the third set, but thanks to Rybanika’s forced error, Sabalenka won the second game to level the scores at 1-1. After this, the competition kept getting exciting. By winning one game each, both the players leveled the score at 2-2 and then at 3-3.
The game turned during the seventh game when Sabalenka took advantage of Rybanica’s backhand unforced error and won the next two games to lead 5–3. In the ninth game, three forehand forced errors by Sabalenka gave Rybanica a comeback opportunity to bring the score to 5-4. Rybanica saved three championship points to stay in the game, but Sabalenka won the third set 6–4 with a forehand unforced in the tenth game to seal the final match.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
What a tremendous battle between two heavyweights, fair play to Aryna for just about keeping it together.
— Gavin Hugill (@gav_26) January 28, 2023
What a player, what a final. So deserved – outstanding!
— Pat Rice (@Lushness_) January 28, 2023
She has changed smth in her in this tournament and it worked. Her attitude, her spirit, the management of her nerves and even her body language has changed. Well deserved
— Lord Wakanda🌬 (@Tiidjane) January 28, 2023
A great battle in the final! Congratulations to Sabalenka, she played very good tennis and she really deserves this victory. Rybakina will be disappointed with the lose after winning the first set. She should be proud of getting to the final. She will surely win future finals!
— Westie Man (@ManWestie) January 28, 2023
Finally. I am happy for whoever win. Both deserve it. Sabalenka and Rybakina gave us a high quality finals
— Rui Wang 锐王 (@Ridl_0ne) January 28, 2023
Amazing game, a terrific final my god
— Matthew__Tabet (@tabet_matthew) January 28, 2023
This feels like the right person winning the lottery!! So very proud of her!!
— BrownSugar2018(she/her/hers) (@DowningPorter) January 28, 2023
This feels like the right person winning the lottery!! So very proud of her!!
— BrownSugar2018(she/her/hers) (@DowningPorter) January 28, 2023
Best female tennis match iv seen was quality
— Cameron Lewis (@lewwdogg) January 28, 2023
