Aryna Sabalenka breaks silence after Australian Open final collapse | Tennis | Sport

Aryna Sabalenka endured a third set collapse as she was stunned in the Australian Open final by Elena Rybakina. The World No. 1 looked set to scoop up another Grand Slam when she broke the Kazakh in the final set to take a 3-0 lead. 

But she would go on to lose her next five games, before Rybakina secured the title in Melbourne by taking the third and final set 6-4. It’s a hugely damaging defeat for Sabalenka, who has now lost four Grand Slam finals in her career. She was on the losing side of a tense opening set, which saw Rybakina break her in the first game before holding onto her serve to take the first set 6-4. Sabalenka responded by taking set two 6-4, breaking Rybakina in the final game.

But after earning an early break and then consolidating it by holding serve in set three, Sabalenka tightened up and struggled against Rybakina. The World No. 5 then recorded two breaks of serve and three holds of serve to go from trailing 3-0 to winning 5-3.

Sabalenka rallied by winning the ninth game to make the score 5-4, but Rybakina served out a pulsating final to win her third Grand Slam. After the match, a disappointed Sabalenka said: “Honestly guys, I am really speechless right now. I will try not to forget anything.

“I want to start with Elena, I want to congratulate you on the incredible run, incredible tennis. Congrats to your team to, such an incredible achievement.

“Of course, thank you everyone who makes this tournament possible. I love being here, I love playing in front of you, all you guys’ incredible support. I always look forward to come and play in front of you.

“Well, let’s hope next year is going to be a better year for me! I love you guys too! Thank you to my team for always being there, for enjoying me losing finals!

“But also sometimes we win them so let’s hope for the best. Let’s hope that next year is definitely going to be ours, right? Thank you everyone, thank you.”

For Rybakina, her triumph in Melbourne is her second Grand Slam title. She won Wimbledon in 2022, beating Ons Jabeur to become the youngest women’s player to triumph at SW19 since 2011.