The first set went to Rybakinová, a native of Russia with Kazakh colours, who was better on serve and exchange. Although she did not take a 4:2 lead, Sabalenková helped her break again at 4:4 with a double fault and added a set twenty-second seed. In doing so, she became the first player to take a set from Sabalenka since the start of the season. “I was quite nervous in the first set. She played great tennis and I wasn’t at my best,” Sabalenkova said in a TV interview.

In the second set, tournament five changed tactics. “I adjusted his style of play a little bit, I pushed more on his forehand, I tried to start him. I pushed his serve more,” he explained. Thanks to this, he increases returns, exchanges more often and more aggressively from the baseline. She was noticeably better in the second set, and although she only converted one of her seven break points, she won it 6:3.

She forced the deciding set, which was relatively even at first, but Rybakinová had more problems on her serve than her opponent. The decisive moment came in the seventh game, when Sabalenkova finally converted a break point and took the lead. In a lengthy tenth game, he converted a fourth match point. He racked up a total of 51 winning hits, his opponent had twenty fewer. Even though he made seven double faults, he helped himself with seventeen aces.

The 24-year-old Belarusian won her 11th match of the season. After her win in the preparatory tournament in Adelaide she followed compatriot Victoria Azarenkova’s title in Melbourne ten years later. An old member of the world’s top tennis team received a trophy that eluded him. Prior to this year’s Australian Open, she was in the semifinals three times at the Grand Slam, but was unsuccessful once. “Every Grand Slam was another opportunity for me that didn’t work out. It was difficult to win that trophy,” he recalls.

He replaces Ashleigh Barty of Australia, who retired last year, on the throne. Many emotions mixed in him. “I need a few more days to realize it. I’m so happy and proud. A lot of things are going through my head. I still haven’t thought about this planet,” said the new champion.

Tennis Grand Slam Australian Open (hard courts, AUD 76.5 million donation):

Woman:

Singles – Finals: Sabalenková (5-Bel.) – Rybakinová (22-Kaz.) 4:6, 6:3, 6:4

Man:

Doubles – Final: Hijikata, Kubler (Aust.) – Nys, Zieliňski (Mon/Pol.) 6:4, 7:6 (7:4).

juniors:

Singles – Finals: Blockx (3-Belg.) – Tien (US) 6:1, 2:6, 7:6 (11:9).

junior girl:

Singles – Finals: Kornejevova (9-Rus.) – Andrejevova (7-Rus.) 6:7​​(2:7), 6:4, 7:5.