Aryna Sabalenka‘s undefeated run in 2023 has carried her to the Australian Open title with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Elena Rybakina on Saturday.
The turning point of the third set at Rod Laver Arena was a back-and-forth seventh game where Sabalenka broke to take a 4-3 lead. She double-faulted on her first match point and needed four in all before claiming the championship in her first Grand Slam singles final.
Sabalenka broke Rybakina in the fourth game of the second set as she seemed to gain composure and relax after a shaky first set.
Rybakina won the first set after breaking in the third game to put her ahead. The first three games were a serving clinic, with both players combining for seven aces.
Sabalenka broke in the eighth to even it at 4-4, but just as quickly Rybakina broke back and moved ahead 5-4. Sabalenka double-faulted to lose that game, and then Rybakina took the final game to love.
It was the first set Sabalenka had lost this year after starting 20-0 while winning her first 10 matches.
Rybakina was playing in her second final in the past three Grand Slam tournaments. The Wimbledon champion beat No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the fourth round at Melbourne Park.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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