MELBOURNE : Elena Rybakina produced a powerful and composed performance to upset world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a three-set final on Saturday, capturing her maiden Australian Open title and a second Grand Slam crown.
The fifth seed earned a 6-4 4-6 6-4 victory at Melbourne Park, avenging her loss to Sabalenka in the 2023 final and adding the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup to the Wimbledon title she won in 2022.
Rybakina, born in Moscow and representing Kazakhstan since 2018, capped a dominant fortnight in which she largely flew under the radar, underlining her growing status as one of the most formidable players on hard courts.
“It’s an incredible achievement,” said the 26-year-old, who will rise to world number three in Monday’s rankings behind Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek. “It was a really tough battle. Aryna is a very tough opponent, so I’m super happy that this time I’m holding the trophy.”
In the first Grand Slam final since 2008 featuring two players who had not dropped a set en route to the title match, it was Sabalenka who faltered first as Rybakina came out firing under the Rod Laver Arena roof.
Rybakina broke serve in the opening game and dictated play with her booming groundstrokes, sealing the first set in style to put the top seed under early pressure.
Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion chasing a third consecutive Melbourne title, regrouped in the second set, eventually capitalising on an error from Rybakina to level the match at one set apiece.
The decider turned into a tense shootout. Sabalenka surged to a 3-0 lead with a barrage of winners, but Rybakina showed remarkable composure to claw her way back, breaking for 4-3 before closing out the match with a thunderous ace.
Rybakina allowed herself a rare display of emotion, pumping her fist before embracing Sabalenka and celebrating with her team courtside.
The victory also followed a turbulent period for Rybakina, who last year defended coach Stefano Vukov after he was provisionally banned by the WTA during an investigation into a potential code of conduct breach. The ban was lifted in August, with Vukov denying any wrongdoing.
“I want to say thank you to my team. Without you it wouldn’t be possible,” said Rybakina, who has won 14 of her last 15 matches. “We had a lot going on, and I’m glad we achieved this result.”
The triumph is expected to further raise the profile of tennis in Kazakhstan, which Rybakina began representing after receiving financial backing in 2018.
Sabalenka, who was denied a Melbourne Park hat-trick by Madison Keys in last year’s final, cut a dejected figure after the match.
“She played an incredible match and I tried my very best,” Sabalenka said. “I was fighting until the very last point. Today you’re a loser, tomorrow you’re a winner. Hopefully I’ll be more of a winner than a loser this season.”
