Elena Rybakina has fallen brief in her quest to emulate Ash Barty and add an Australian Open title seven months after profitable Wimbledon.
Taking part in in her first closing at Melbourne Park, the 23-year-old Kazakh was trying to comply with the trail of Barty, who gained the 2021 grass courtroom main and backed up together with her 2022 residence slam earlier than saying her shock retirement.
However she was stopped by Russian powerhouse Aryna Sabalenaka, who gained her first ever main 4-6 6-Three 6-Four in a high-quality conflict on Rod Laver Area on Saturday night time.
“Congratulations to Aryna for the title and nice begin to the season,” Rybakina stated of Sabalenka, who has solely dropped one set in her previous 11 matches.
“I understand how exhausting you’ve got labored for it.
“Hopefully we’ll have many extra battles.”
Rybakina bought off to a flying begin to lead 3-1 earlier than serving out the primary set whereas Sabalenka’s service recreation was shaky, producing 5 double faults.
However the Belarusian discovered her groove within the second set, blasting 21 winners whereas she did harm together with her often-shaky serve, solely giving up one double fault.
The gamers went toe to toe within the deciding set with break-point stress lastly cracking Rybakina, who dropped her serve to path 3-4.
World No.5 Sabalenka consolidated, piling extra stress on Rybakina, who claimed the scalp of 5 seeds together with top-ranked Iga Swiatek en path to the ultimate.
With 9 aces for the match and a high pace of 190km per hour, Rybakina held her nerve for a 4-5 scoreline, making Sabalenka serve for the title.
Rybakina saved three championship factors however despatched her forehand lengthy handy her 24-year-old rival her first grand slam title.
As a comfort, she is going to change into the primary participant representing Kazakhstan to succeed in the highest 10, which is effectively overdue after not choosing up any rating factors for her Wimbledon triumph.
