Kazakhstani rallies from 3-0 down in final set for glory
2023 runner-up turns tables with 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win
Elena Rybakina had plenty of reasons to lose faith in her latest pursuit of a second grand slam title. She had played well for so much of the Australian Open final but, just as was the case in their final here three years ago, as Aryna Sabalenka began to impose herself in the match, Rybakina lost all control. Trailing 0-3 and 30-30 on her serve in the final set, the Kazakhstani’s chances were fading quickly.
Although Rybakina is one of the least expressive tennis players to ever reach these stages, her reserved persona belies the grit at the heart of her success. The fifth seed brilliantly drew on her inner fire to produce the one of the great recoveries of her career, finding a way through from a break down in the final set to clinch her first Australian Open title with a brilliant 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win over the world No 1.
This victory confirms a development that has been clear for some time: Rybakina is the in-form player in women’s tennis. The 26-year-old’s long-awaited second slam title comes after she ended last season by winning the WTA Finals with a similarly commanding victory over Sabalenka in the final. The Kazakhstani was floundering outside the top 10 as recently as July, but her victory solidified her position among the elite by returning to her career high ranking of No 3.
