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Elena Ryabkina produced a composed performance to beat world number one Aryana Sabalenka in a dramatic three-set final to claim her first Australian Open title
The fifth seed rallied from 3-0 down in the deciding set to win 6-4 4-6 6-4, avenging her loss to Sabalenka in the 2023 final and lifting her second Grand Slam trophy to follow. Wimbledon Success in 2022.
Sabalenka looked in control after breaking Ryabkina early in the third set as she chased down the third set. Australian Open title in four years. However, momentum shifted as the Belarusian tightened up under pressure, allowing Rybkina to serve five straight games to turn the match in her favour.
Rybkina showed impressive composure as she neared the finish line, closing out the contest to seal victory. For Sabalenka, the loss was her third in the past four Grand Slam finals, following earlier disappointments at the Australian Open and French Open last year.
Despite Sabalenka’s continued dominance on hard courts and a 75-week run at the top of the rankings, Rybakina is emerging as an increasingly difficult opponent for her. The Kazakhs have now won seven of their last nine meetings on hard courts.
Rybkina’s title track underscores her current form. She defeated world number two Iga Switek and sixth seed Jessica Pegula entering the final and became the first player since Naomi Osaka in 2019 to defeat three top-10 opponents from the quarter-final stage to win the Australian Open.
She has now won 10 consecutive matches against top 10 players and has won more than anyone else on the WTA Tour since the end of Wimbledon last year, with 38 wins and just one loss in her past 21 matches.
