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Aryna Sabalenka came from a set down against Elena Rybakina to win the 2023 Australian Open women's singles title, her first career Grand Slam.
In a tense and high-quality final, Aryna Sabalenka defeated 2022 Wimbledon Champion Elena Rybakina 4-6 6-3 6-4 - to become the 2023 Australian Open women's singles champion.
The Belarusian came from a set down to claim her maiden Grand Slam title and maintain her unbeaten start to the 2023 season 11-0.
Match recap
Sabalenka started with a double fault, then an ace. But Rybakina will get the first break of the match to go 4-3. An impressive return from Sabalenka sees her get the break back for 4-4.
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On her fifth double fault, Sabalenka was broken again, allowing Rybakina to put herself in a good position to serve for the first set at 5-4.
With a love hold, Rybakina closed out the first set grabbing it 6-4 over Sabalenka.
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The sets recap saw Sabalenka's serve, which was one of her key weapons all tournament let her down, and the double faults not helping matters. Rybakina on the other hand, was serving impeccably, which was a big difference in the set.
Sabalenka saved two break points and hustled out the hold to start the second set. Big-hitting from her and she broke to lead 3-1.
Again double-faulted to hand Rybakina a break point, but she redeemed herself with some big winners going 4-1 in the set.
Rybakina saved a couple of break points and holds for 2-4, but a good hold from Sabalenka saw her extend her lead to 5-2 in the set. Many errors from Rybakina then two set points were saved, and she held for 3-5.
With Sabalenka serving to force a third set at 5-3, she sealed it with two consecutive aces, going 6-3 over Rybakina.
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A double fault from Rybakina started the third and deciding set, avoiding the break to hold and lead 3-2. But the first break of the set will go Sabalenka's way for a 4-3 lead.
With Rybakina now under pressure, Sabalenka backed up her break and was just one game away from the win. Rybakina holds and Sabalenka served for the match at 5-4.
She double faults on a championship point, then found her fastest serve of the entire final a break point down *5-4. She can't find a first serve on match point, seeing three championship points gone. Deuce! Finally secured the set 6-4 for her first Grand Slam title.
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In the final, Sabalenka had 51 winners and 17 aces, and over 47% of her points won at the tournament were winners.
The 24-year-old's victory sees gains three spots to No. 2 on the WTA Top 10 list, behind Iga Swiatek and ahead of Ons Jabeur. While Rybakina takes 15 spots increase by finally breaking into the Top 10 - her highest career rating.
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