Aryna Sabalenka won her first Grand Slam title by overcoming a history of buckling under pressure and coming from behind to beat Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the women’s singles final of the Australian Open on Saturday.
The match was a showdown between two of the biggest hitters in the sport and it was a closely contested match throughout. Sabalenka had a shaky start to the match and committed a number of double faults which put her in a difficult position early on. Rybakina took advantage and went on to take the first set 6-4.
However, Sabalenka was able to steady herself in the middle of the match and was able to turn things around by taking the second set 6-3. The final set was a display of raw power and precision by Sabalenka which Rybakina was unable to match.
The final point of the match was a tense moment as Rybakina sent a forehand long and in an instant Sabalenka was on her back on the blue court, crying tears of joy and relief. Sabalenka’s victory was a microcosm of her career, a shaky start followed by a steady mid-match recovery and a final set display of raw power and precision that her opponent could not answer.
This victory marks a significant milestone in Sabalenka’s career as she has now overcome the history of buckling under pressure of late-round Grand Slams and has shown that she can now be considered a serious contender for future Grand Slam titles. With this victory, Sabalenka has truly arrived on the big stage and has shown that she is no longer afraid of the pressure that comes with it.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to Aryna Sabalenka’s win at the Australia Open Final:
SABALENKA IS CROWNED #AO2023 CHAMPION ? pic.twitter.com/tO8PoYxDSr
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2023
Sweet moment when Aryna Sabalenka realises her name is already engraved on the trophy mid-sentence in an interview with Channel 9.
“Oh my God I already have my name! This is really unbelievable. With all these stars, all these names.”#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/1k1cPRKpdk
— James Gray (@jamesgraysport) January 28, 2023
Anton Dubrov, Aryna Sabalenka's coach, is crying too.
Sabalenka is letting it all go on the court. It's been so controlled up to now – and it is all flooding out.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/EWKs1IRVeU
— James Gray (@jamesgraysport) January 28, 2023
AO tennis balls after Rybakina and Sabalenka face off in the final pic.twitter.com/B76rwmllaQ
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) January 26, 2023
The tennis ball during the Rybakina – Sabalenka final pic.twitter.com/RLu2gfk0Ge
— ?nebby? (@vamoshalep) January 26, 2023
Nobody:
Sabalenka when she hits a forehand:#ausopen pic.twitter.com/d0jEmh9e5R— Well That’s Not The Rule Shino (@footfaulttennis) January 28, 2023
During the peak cold war, the sparrow from Minsk(Olga Korbut) was magnificent at Munich '72. She was accepted as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time by everyone. In 2023, Sabalenka from Minsk has won the AO, amidst the Rus/Belarus boycott. Will she be accepted? #AusOpen2023 pic.twitter.com/BnHFfwi2F5
— Vijay Arumugam (@vijayarumugam) January 28, 2023
Obsessed with Sabalenka still shoving the towels in her bag after winning the tournament
— Laura Robson (@laurarobson5) January 28, 2023
Congratulations to Aryna Sabalenka on her first Grand Slam title!
It was a thrilling match and both Sabalenka and Rybakina played so well.
Honored to present Aryna with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup. ?#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/l8WCXsmcfW
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) January 28, 2023
