google-site-verification=0bx1QYafX4YUxAV2RLbOiDD2WzOMRAju_YMPZqdCR1E Aryna Sabalenka beats Elena Rybakina in three sets to win Australian Open title

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Aryna Sabalenka beats Elena Rybakina in three sets to win Australian Open title



Aryna Sabalenka has made it clear that her mindset has changed throughout the incredible winning streak she has established to the start of this season. She is now more composed and is willing to work for her opportunities rather than recklessly hopping over fences. Those tenets were put to the ultimate test when she was trailing by one set to the Wimbledon champion in her first grand slam singles final.


Sabalenka did not back down despite immense pressure until the desperate final game. She focused on finding solutions, and Sabalenka defeated Elena Rybakina 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to win the Australian Open. The match featured fearless, unrelenting shotmaking from both players.


After defeating Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open final, Aryna Sabalenka is overcome with happiness. Read more Sabalenka, who is from Belarus, is the first non-Russian athlete to win a singles grand slam tournament since Russia invaded Ukraine. Sabalenka shrugged when asked if her victory was diminished by not having her name on the flag: " I think that everyone still knows that I'm a player from Belarus. That's all.


The fifth seed will equal her career-high ranking of No. 2 in the world rankings with her first major title. In 2023, Sabalenka remains unbeaten, winning her first 11 matches and claiming two titles.


The primary objective of a match between two of tennis's best servers and shot-makers was clear: attack. Both players made excellent shotmaking right from the start and didn't shy away from the pressure of such a significant moment. Sabalenka started the match with two aces to hold, but Rybakina hit three in response.


The 23-year-old won the first set thanks to Rybakina's Wimbledon experience during the opening stages. Sabalenka, on the other hand, refused to show any negative emotion even after falling down a set.


Sabalenka was aware that she had an advantage over Rybakina in any neutral rally due to her greater athleticism and significantly heavier ball, which allowed her to combine pace and spin, as opposed to Rybakina's flatter ball. Sabalenka broke serve for a 3-1 lead as she began to read the Kazakhstani's serve and punish her second serve. She then held on through a number of tough games to force a final set.




The level rose in tandem with the rising pressure. Sabalenka dominated rallies over four shots thanks to her superior baseline game, but both players swung freely and blasted winners from all areas of the court. In the final set, she won the decisive break at 3-3 before winning two agonizing service games. Sabalenka forced Rybakina into a final forehand error on her fourth match point, and the grand slam champion finally fell to the ground. I kept repeating to myself, You don't hear anyone say that it won't be easy; all you have to do is work hard until the end. She stated


Her victory demonstrates that she has worked hard and persevered to improve both her mindset and game. She was ranked fourth in the world just two years ago, but she had never advanced past the fourth round of a grand slam tournament. She was unable to withstand the pressure.


Sabalenka lost three brutal semi-final matches when she finally broke through. In the most recent instance, she lost the US Open semi-final to Iga Swiatek despite leading 4-1. These difficulties, according to Sabalenka, are actually blessings in disguise. I'm actually glad I lost those matches because now I can be a different player and Aryna, you know? She stated


Sabalenka arrived in Australia last year during one of her career's toughest times. She had been completely abandoned by her serve. Because she was simply unable to serve, she spent her time in Adelaide throwing underarm serves. She committed 56 double faults in her four matches in Melbourne. Anton Dubrov, her coach, thought she should find a replacement by February.


“He recently said: I have no idea what to do. I believe you need to find another person who can assist you.' However, I knew it wasn't about him. It just has something to do with me. I just need to figure out what's wrong. She stated, "We have to get through it."


Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas The Supreme Novak Djokovic prepared for Tsitsipas' challenge in the Australian Open final Read more Before recently making the decision to hold herself accountable, she employed a psychologist who assisted her in controlling her emotions. She enlisted the assistance of a biomechanics expert during the summer and watched numerous videos to improve as her serve struggles persisted throughout the season. The most important thing is that she learned to value her own talent.


“Whenever someone came to me and asked for my signature, I always had this strange feeling. What's the point of requesting a signature? I am nothing. I play games. There is no grand slam for me.' I just altered my feelings. She stated, "I start to respect myself more.


All of those choices have been completely fruitful. She relied heavily on her serve on Saturday to win the close final games. She served 17 aces, making the absurd ratio of 51 winners to 28 errors in a major final.


Rybakina had some of her best weeks of her career, even though she was outplayed at the end. Throughout the two weeks, she played fantastic tennis and, most importantly, she quickly defended her Wimbledon title. She will finally break into the top 10 for the first time in her career on Monday, moving up from 25th place in the rankings.

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