Belarusian Athlete Secures First Grand Slam Victory
Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus claimed her inaugural Grand Slam title by defeating Elena Rybakina, who was born in Russia, at the Australian Open. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Aryna Sabalenka triumphed over Elena Rybakina to claim her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open on Saturday, recovering from a set down in a thrilling final.
In her first major final, fifth seed Sabalenka faced an early challenge as Rybakina, the reigning Wimbledon champion, took the opening set 6-4. However, Sabalenka began to impose her powerful game and equalized by winning the second set 6-3.
Both players showcased their incredible shot-making skills in the match held at Rod Laver Arena, creating an atmosphere worthy of the occasion. The crucial moment came when Sabalenka broke Rybakina's serve in the seventh game of the final set. Despite momentarily stumbling and letting three match points slip by, Sabalenka regained her composure to serve out the set 6-4 and secure the championship.
Upon winning, the 24-year-old collapsed onto her back and covered her face in disbelief, celebrating what is undoubtedly the biggest achievement of her career. With this victory, Sabalenka is set to rise to number two in the world in the upcoming WTA rankings on Monday, matching her career-high position.
“I am super nervous,” Sabalenka expressed after receiving the Daphne Akhurst trophy from tennis legend Billie Jean King. “Congratulations, Elena. Hopefully we will have many more battles, hopefully in the final of Grand Slams.
“Thank you everyone, and thanks guys for an amazing atmosphere. It was an enjoyable tournament to play in. Thanks to my team, they are the craziest team on the tour.
“You guys deserve this trophy more than me. I hope next year I come back even stronger and I will show you even better tennis,” added Sabalenka, who participated in the tournament under ‘neutral’ status due to ongoing sanctions affecting many Russian and Belarusian athletes stemming from the conflict in Ukraine.
For Rybakina, 23, the result was disappointing as she was unable to add another Grand Slam title to her Wimbledon victory from the previous year. Nevertheless, the Moscow-born athlete, who has represented Kazakhstan since 2018, demonstrated her potential to compete for more major titles in the future.
“I would like to congratulate Aryna. I know how hard you have worked and hopefully we will have many more battles,” Rybakina graciously stated in her post-match remarks. Seeded 22nd in Melbourne, she will now make her debut in the world top ten due to her impressive performance reaching the final.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
In her first major final, fifth seed Sabalenka faced an early challenge as Rybakina, the reigning Wimbledon champion, took the opening set 6-4. However, Sabalenka began to impose her powerful game and equalized by winning the second set 6-3.
Both players showcased their incredible shot-making skills in the match held at Rod Laver Arena, creating an atmosphere worthy of the occasion. The crucial moment came when Sabalenka broke Rybakina's serve in the seventh game of the final set. Despite momentarily stumbling and letting three match points slip by, Sabalenka regained her composure to serve out the set 6-4 and secure the championship.
Upon winning, the 24-year-old collapsed onto her back and covered her face in disbelief, celebrating what is undoubtedly the biggest achievement of her career. With this victory, Sabalenka is set to rise to number two in the world in the upcoming WTA rankings on Monday, matching her career-high position.
“I am super nervous,” Sabalenka expressed after receiving the Daphne Akhurst trophy from tennis legend Billie Jean King. “Congratulations, Elena. Hopefully we will have many more battles, hopefully in the final of Grand Slams.
“Thank you everyone, and thanks guys for an amazing atmosphere. It was an enjoyable tournament to play in. Thanks to my team, they are the craziest team on the tour.
“You guys deserve this trophy more than me. I hope next year I come back even stronger and I will show you even better tennis,” added Sabalenka, who participated in the tournament under ‘neutral’ status due to ongoing sanctions affecting many Russian and Belarusian athletes stemming from the conflict in Ukraine.
For Rybakina, 23, the result was disappointing as she was unable to add another Grand Slam title to her Wimbledon victory from the previous year. Nevertheless, the Moscow-born athlete, who has represented Kazakhstan since 2018, demonstrated her potential to compete for more major titles in the future.
“I would like to congratulate Aryna. I know how hard you have worked and hopefully we will have many more battles,” Rybakina graciously stated in her post-match remarks. Seeded 22nd in Melbourne, she will now make her debut in the world top ten due to her impressive performance reaching the final.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
