In a three-set thriller, Aryna Sabalenka emerged victorious over Elena Rybakina to win her first singles Grand Slam title.
In the very first Grand Slam finals appearance of her career, Aryna Sabalenka fought her way straight to the title, winning the 2023 Australian Open women’s singles crown after defeating Elena Rybakina.
Sabalenka has been ranked the former World No. 2 in women’s singles and the former World No. 1 in doubles by the WTA. The 24-year-old has thus far won two Grand Slam doubles titles, and has now claimed her first singles title.
A new Grand Slam champ
As her second time at a Grand Slam finals, Rybakina came out the gate strong to win the first set, 6-4. But Sabalenka proved her fifth-seed position as she came back in the second set with a quick 6-3 win to level the playing field once again.
In the third and final set of the night, the two ladies showed that they were both in it to fight for the title. Sabalenka took a slim 5-4 lead and was serving for the match.
Going back and forth taking advantage, it looked as though Rybakina was ready to get back in the fight to level the set to five apiece. However, Sabalenka closed it after an error from her opponent to claim her first-ever Grand Slam title.
With the women’s champion now crowned at the Australian Open, all eyes turn to the men’s singles match tomorrow between Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Banner image from Australian Open on Twitter.
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