Australian Open: With a breathtaking display of power and unnerving composure, Belarusian fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka came back from a set down to defeat Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the final to win the Australian Open 2023 women's singles crown and her first Grand Slam title, here on Saturday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The match was featured as one between two fearless offensive players, a narrative that played out throughout the dramatic 2-hour, 28-minute long final.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the end, the players struck 82 winners between them, 51 from the racquet of Sabalenka, but the undaunting play of the No.5 seed during tense moments ultimately made the difference.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
At 3-3 in the third set, Sabalenka -- on her third break opportunity of the game -- blistered a second-serve return, then finished off the point with a midcourt overhead winner to take the lead.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
She finished off the next game swiftly with an ace, her 16th of the match, for a 5-3 lead. Rybakina, last year's Wimbledon champion, held on to make it 5-4.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With Sabalenka, taking the court to finish off the match, she took a few deep breaths and methodically walked to the court. After winning on her fourth match point, Sabalenka fell to the court in celebration when Rybakina overhit a forehand long.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 24-year-old received the championship trophy from Billie Jean King, whom she thanked for everything she's done for women's tennis.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I'm still shaking and super nervous. My team -- the craziest team on tour, I would say. We've been through a lot of ups and downs in the last year. We worked so hard. You guys deserve this trophy, it's more about you than me," Sabalenka said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With this, Sabalenka has now won all 11 of her matches in this new year and that opening set against the No.22-seeded Rybakina was the first one she's dropped. She's now won all four career matches against Rybakina -- all in three sets.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On Monday, Sabalenka will match her career high when she moves up to No.2 in the rankings. She finds herself 4,385 behind Swiatek, but the top-ranked player is defending 6,270 points through Roland Garros -- the downside of winning six consecutive tournaments and 37 straight matches a year ago. Rybakina will make her Top 10 debut.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With this, Sabalenka has now won all 11 of her matches in this new year and that opening set against the No.22-seeded Rybakina was the first one she's dropped. She's now won all four career matches against Rybakina -- all in three sets.<\/p>\r\n\r\n