Rybakina defeats Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 Won the Australian Open title for the first time
Rybakina regroups to win second Grand Slam title and first Australian Open title
Three years ago, in Melbourne, they finished third as the Grand Slam title was in contention. Aryna Sabalenka won and defended her title the following year. She scored a hat trick 2025 but lost her crown 5-7 The third one is Madison Keys. This is Elena Rybakina’s first Australian Open final.
this 2022 The Wimbledon champion struggled at the start of last season but ended up having a brilliant run and won the title Women’s Tennis Association In the final in Riyadh, she defeated Sabalenka in straight sets in the championship match.
Rybakina achieves career-high ranking#3 exist 2023but currently ranks fifth. Sabalenka originally reached #1 September 2023 But it has been uninterrupted since October 2024.
Sabalenka takes the lead 8-6 But behind Rybakina 5-6 On hard courts. This is their first meeting at the Australian Open and their third meeting at a major.
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Heading into the championship match, the 27-year-old from Belarus had not dropped a set, defeating two seeded players – #No. 17 Victoria Mboko and #12 Elena Svitolina.
Rybakina from Kazakhstan, who is a year younger, did not drop a set in six matches and defeated three seeded players in a row: #twenty oneElise Mertens, #2 Iga Swiatek, #6 Jessica Pegula.
With the Rod Laver Arena roof closed, Sabalenka served first, and although she had two consecutive winners, including an ace on the tee, she faced two break points and lost serve. Rybakina opened the match with an ace in the middle and saved love to solidify the break. Sabalenka hit three winners, including her second ace on game point, while Rybakina double-faulted early but held on easily. 15 for 3-1.
world#1 Play her third ace and keep the love going 2-3. Rybakina scored two consecutive backhand winners and held on 30 for 4-2 Sabalenka opened and ended the seventh game with wins, including her fourth ace.
world#5 The new-ball service game opened with an inside-out forehand winner, and despite facing double break points, she served three consecutive well-positioned games, including her second ace. The two-time Australian Open champion held on to hold on with two sublime forehand winners and a monster ace serve. Rybakina missed 3/6 Serve first but hold on 30 The set was secured after the opponent’s forehand error. Sabalenka left the court after the game.
While Sabalenka moves and defends better than Rybakina, her second serve is often a liability. ruler us The Open champion served first in the second set and held until 15 When Rybakina was in trouble, she played her fourth ace. Although she hit five winners, she double-faulted and faced six deuces and three break points but still held on to the tie.
Sabalenka catches easily 15 for 2-1 Despite her first double fault, Rybakina held on on her third 15 For parity. Sabalenka opened the match with a brilliant cross-court forehand and ended with a huge serve from midcourt, while Rybakina crushed her opponent with an inside forehand. 30 for 3-3.
Sabalenka misses 4/8 Started, including double fault, but avoided relegation 4-3 A powerful serve and a wonderful cross-court forehand. Rybakina hit three consecutive winners, including two more aces, and kept the score.
Made in Sabalenka 4/5 Serve first and hold on 15 lead 5-4 And Rybakina faced a triple set point and conceded the ball after Sabalenka’s forehand pass.
Sabalenka remained calm as the deciding set began. She served first and caught it easily 15 When Rybakina misses 5/6 In the first service game, the opponent’s serve was broken after two excellent backhand winners.
The top seed faced a break point and a draw but consolidated it with three more winners and an irreversible serve 3-0. The two-time Australian Open champion looked set to win the match and capture her fifth Grand Slam title, but Rybakina rewrote the script.
She got on the board with her fifth ace and an irreversible serve. Made in Sabalenka 4/5 The first serve was broken however due to two unforced errors and Rybakina’s powerful backhand.
this 5The new ball has not yet been served to the seeded team. 5/8 In the first service game, she faced a break point and tied the game, but with a huge serve deflection, she consolidated the break point to level three.
As the lead disappeared, Sabalenka’s frustration and anxiety grew. She forced three backhand errors and lost serve when she hit a passable forehand. Rybakina sensed her opponent’s desperation and increased her intensity and focus. she did 4/6 In the first service game, he hit the baseline with his backhand and served hard in the middle to consolidate the break.
Sabalenka held the match on serve, opening the match easily with two excellent forehand winners. 15 for 4-5. Rybakina fights for title despite facing 30-30 After Sabalenka hit a brilliant backhand return, she hit a brilliant serve off the tee and hit an ace from the outside to secure her second Grand Slam title and first in Melbourne.
It was an intense, competitive Grand Slam final featuring some of the best batsmen in the world. Women’s Tennis Association travel. Rybakina delighted with her team after almost winning second Grand Slam 3 ½ year. The twenty-six-year-old finished with six aces and three double faults to win the title 76% of the first sum 48Percentage of second serve points scored.
She suppressed Sabalenka’s second serve very effectively and won the match 52% of these points. She did well on the break point to save 6/8 When converting 3/6. Although Sabalenka hit more winners (35/28), leaving only one error (25/twenty four), and convert the same number of points (92), she won the runner-up trophy! It’s never about how much, it’s about which points you win.
It’s a fascinating rivalry that never disappoints. While Sabalenka remains firmly at the top of the sport, Rybakina will equal her career-high ranking #3 Come on Monday morning. What a difference two weeks make.
