Belarusian Sabalenka wins her first major title from the “Tennis Australia” portal

Belarusian Arina Sabalenka, ranked fifth in the world, won the first major title in her career, after defeating Elena Rybakina, the 25th Kazakh, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, in the Australian Open final, on Saturday. Sabalenka, 24, made up for her delay in the first set to be able to defeat the Wimbledon champion, after a match that lasted for two hours and 28 minutes at Rod Laver Arena, to rise to second place in the world rankings.

The final match came to conclude two weeks of dramatic competitions, as Rybakina eliminated 3 winners in the Grand Slam tournaments: Polish Iga Chivontec, ranked first in the world, in the final price, Latvian Jelena Ostapenko (17) in the quarter-finals and Belarusian Victoria Azarenka (24) in the semi-finals.

Sabalenka did not lose any set in Melbourne before the final, in a perfect start since the beginning of this year, as she achieved 10 consecutive victories in Australia by winning the Adelaide tournament title. Rybakina settled the first set after 24 minutes, but Sabalenka responded strongly and won the second set despite fierce resistance from her Kazakh opponent, as this group needed 57 minutes. The third group was a peak of excitement and clubbing, and it was clear that minor details might decide the match.

The Belarusian managed to break her opponent’s serve to advance 5-3, but the half of the match was difficult for the two players, especially for Sabalenka, who could only win with a breath. Despite losing the final, Rybakina will make her way into the top ten in the world rankings, having reached her second Grand Final in seven months.