Aryna Sabalenka wins the Australian Open, her first Grand Slam | Other Sports | Sports

First final, first win. In a show of physical power, the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka lifted her first Grand Slam this Saturday after coming back from a set against Kazakh Elena Rybakina in the final of the Australian Open.

Unbeaten so far in 2023, Sabalenka continued her run by winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 the last Wimbledon winner and will climb three places in the WTA rankings, placing second behind Iga Swiatek, equaling the highest place in her career.

Tall, muscular, with cannons in their arms and mighty roars to celebrate your points. The Belarusian was a marvel of nature that trembled at key moments and until now had accumulated up to three losses in the Grand Slam semifinals.

But in his first finaland also against current Grand Slam champion, was able to prevail over an imprecise start, with numerous double faults, and with up to 51 winners he imposed his law in the Rod Laver Arena.

She celebrated by dropping emotionally onto the blue track before hugging her team and receiving her trophy in a ceremony without flag or anthem, since tennis players from Belarus, an ally of Moscow, compete as neutrals for the invasion of Ukraine.

“Thanks to my team, the craziest team on the circuit. We’ve been through a lot of downturns in the past year, we’ve worked very hard and this trophy is for you.. It’s more for you than for me,” said the 24-year-old player, nervous and unable to hide an incredulous laugh.

double faults

Both Rybakina and Sabalenka had proven to be the fittest players at a tournament where many favorites defected early. The first was the leader in direct services (45), the second in winners.

Y for almost two and a half hours they made a show of force before the public Rod Laver Arena with blows that were close to 150 km/h, balls to the line, fast points, direct kicks (7 in the first 13 points) and treacherous remains that took the rival off guard.

And that the game began with a double fault from the Belarusian, awakening the ghosts of the Sabalenka of the past, who in 2022 committed 428 double faults, 151 more than any other player.

He made four more throughout the first set, in which he quickly found himself down a break after squandering a 40-0 (1-1) lead with a double fault and two deflected shots.

Instead, she had barely gotten 3 points off Rybakina’s powerful serve, until she was able to hook an energetic spike into the net in a game that ended up leveling the score.

However, two double faults penalized her and Rybakina, at ease from serve, endorsed the first set against her in 2023.

wake up the beast

It took a while, but Sabalenka began to find herself on the court, minimizing her mistakes and finding the lines with her winning shots that the player with a tiger tattoo on her arm celebrated with fierce roars.

He got the long-awaited break to go up 3-1 and, although he committed another double fault, this time he kept serving.

The advantage woke up the beast, which began to deploy its powerful punch and pressing every serve that Rybakina couldn’t adjust. He missed several break points, but it was enough to take the set with two consecutive ‘aces’.

The Belarusian arrived full of confidence in the final set and did the rest at 3-3. Rybakina saved two break points but literally sank to the knee on the third by returning a blow from the Belarusian, who then finished it off with a winning forehand.

In the first Grand Slam final she played, it was difficult for her to close the championship but, on her fourth match point, a Rybakina forehand went wide and gave the title to a Sabalenka who emotionally dropped on the blue track in Melbourne. (D)