Wow!! What a night it has been in the 2023 Australian Open women’s singles final between Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) & Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus). They both fired off well where Rybakina got away with a competitive first stage lead. However, Sabalenka wasted no time with an easy 2nd fight return going into the 3rd set dash towards the finish line. And the winner goes to Sabalenka who not only overtook Rybakina for the lead, but she also executed well without hesitation here at Rod Laver Arena. The final score was done in 2 hours & 28 minutes – 6-4, 3-6, 4-6.
Rybakina played not bad where she never gave up from start to finish. She was glad to overcome such a difficult opponent like Sabalenka earlier on, having got away with a great start as well as the opening set win. But then Rybakina began to slip away under pressure as exposed by her opponent at times beforehand. That weaknesses not only blew her away going into the final set dash, but also eventually forced Rybakina to settle as 2nd best in the end to Sabalenka. Gutted to see her lose in a grand slam final for the first time at the 2nd occasion following a triumph Wimbledon campaign last year, as it’s best if she can improve her record at Roland Garros & US Opens later this year before more grand slam silverware will come her way sooner rather than later.
And how good was Sabalenka tonight with her first grand slam & Australian Open women singles title. Now she may have dropped the opening set, even though Aryna finally got the ball rolling after a slow start. But she also gave Rybakina a huge warning when trying to stay ahead; it’s something Aryna did with so much fight in return before she ticked off not only one but two sets needed that secured her huge breakthrough. Although she will be ranked No.2 starting next week behind Iga Swiatek, but Sabalenka played such an incredible performance where the fight, patience & execution helped her stood out on top v Rybakina. Let’s hope she stays that way in a bid to chase more grand slam silverware going forward before Sabalenka can dethrone Swiatek as the world’s top-ranked female tennis player.
