(Melbourne) Serves and other shots were heavy. The points went by quickly – in fact, seven of the first 13 were aces.
We immediately saw that in the Melbourne final between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, the one who would play well on serve, anticipate returns and remain stable in tighter moments would emerge victorious.
It was Sabalenka, a 24-year-old Belarusian, who won her maiden Grand Slam title beating Wimbledon champion Rybakina 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday.
Sabalenka had 17 aces among her 51 winners, overcoming seven double faults.
It was telling that Sabalenka’s remarks in the post-match ceremony were directed at her coach, Anton Dubrov, and her physical trainer, Jason Stacy – she called them “the craziest team on the tour, I would say “.
PHOTO MARK BAKER, ASSOCIATED PRESS Aryna Sabalenka, left, and Elena Rybakina
“We went through a lot of lows last year,” said Sabalenka, who was competing in her first Grand Final. We have worked so hard and you deserve this trophy. It reflects your work more than mine. »
Undefeated in 11 games this year, Sabalenka is a power player whose great strength was also her most serious deficit: her serve. Long capable of hammering aces, she also had a notorious problem with double faults, leading the WTA in this category last year with nearly 400, including more than 20 in some matches.
After much pressure from her group, she finally agreed to change her service mechanics last August.
That, combined with a commitment to trying to stay calm in stressful times, is really paying off now.
Rybakina knocked out #1 Iga Swiatek in the fourth round.
Sabalenka broke her rival three times, the last for a 4-3 lead in the third set. She stayed the course thereafter.
Sabalenka worked hard in the final game, double faulting on her first match point. It took three more before he could celebrate.
When Rybakina sent a forehand too long, after two hours and 28 minutes, Sabalenka dropped and stayed on the ground for a bit, covering her face as her eyes filled with tears.
Sabalenka was 0-3 in the Grand Slam semi-finals until the match where she defeated Magda Linette in Melbourne. From now on, this victory will propel her to second place in women’s tennis.
The fastest service from Rybakina was 195 km/h, from Sabalenka 192 km/h. They exchanged dazzling blows deep in the field, often untouchable, resulting in winning blow after winning blow.
“I hope we will play each other often again,” said Rybakina.
Sabalenka had 13 break points, Rybakina seven.
The three chances converted by Sabalenka were enough, and the constant pressure applied with Rybakina serving must have taken its toll.
Rybakina kept her serve at zero to earn the first set, but Sabalenka turned it around early in the second set.
She broke for 3-1, led 4-1 and won the set with an ace – on a second serve, no less.
Sabalenka said she expected to be nervous. It was the most important match of his career to date, after all.
If those fears seemed a little bit at first (a double fault on the first point of the match), Sabalenka then controlled them well enough to finish the job.
