AUS Open: Rybakina triumphs over Sabalenka
Stunning serves, tremendous timing on the shots, and the ability to deal with Aryna Sabalenka's intensity.
Elena Rybakina has done it in style today.
She causes a major upset, beaten the world no.1 in three sets - 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, in a battle that lasted for 2 hours and 18 minutes.
Elena Rybakina is the new Australian Open champion!
Ladies and gentlemen! What an incredible comeback from Elena Rybakina!
Australian Open has a new champion and it is the 26-year-old Elena Rybnakina who beats World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka to win her first AUS Open title.
The best ball-striker in the women's tennis at the moment finishes off in style, hitting a lovely ace down the T against Sabalenka.
Let me remind you, that she was down 0-3 in the final set. And managed to win 5 straight games, eventually closing out the final set 6-4.
Make that 5 for Rybakina, Sabalenka in trouble
Rybakina wins 4 games in a row!
What a massive comeback from Elena Rybakina. The 5th seed wins four games in a row and from 0-3 down, takes a lead of 4-3 in the final set.
And it is all down to Rybakina's ability to hit deep, well timed shots.
Sabalenka is flustered again and she is not able to cope up with the speed of the shots.
Australian Open: Incredible comeback from Rybakina
AUS Ope: Elena Rybakina breaks Sabalenka
Put more energy said Rybakina's coach a couple of games back, and Rybakina has done exactly that.
Since that advice, Rybakina has won back to back games, break Aryna Sabalenka.
Incredible timing on the shot from Rybakina, who is made Sabalenka just stand and watch the shots go past her on both sides of the court.
Forehand, backhand, it was incredible timing.
This puts her closer to Sabalenka, 2-3 in the final set.
Australian Open Live: Could this be the key for Rybakina
You need to put energy: Rybakina's coach
Things are slipping away from Rybakina.
Her coach tells her to put more energy on the ball, more energy into her movement.
And Rybakina hits with two very big serves and wins her first game of the final set.
Sabalenka is still 3-1 up in the final set and is closing in on her 3rd Australian Open title.
Australian Open Live: Sabalenka 3-0 up in final set
Elena Rybakina was very very close to breaking Aryna Sabalenka in the third game of the final set. But the fact that Rybakina has not hit the balls deep enough, bites her back.
Sabalenka plays some powerful shots and absolutely smashes Rybakina into the ground.
This is tremendous power from Sabalenka, who is now 3-0 up in the final set.
Australian Open Final: Sabalenka outmuscling Rybakina
In a game of backhands, she has managed to outmuscle Elena Rybakina.
Rybakina is struggling to hit the balls deep, but when she did manage to find that rhythm, Sabalenka managed to out power her with a backhand cross-courter.
And early break for Sabalenka in the third and the final set, and now Rybakina is in big trouble.
Australian Open: Intense final set begins
Aryna Sabalenka starts the third and the final set with incredible intensity.
There is a clear air about Sabalenka now. In the last game of Set 2, she did not let Rybakina win a single point.
Sabalenka has started like that in the third set and this spells trouble for Rybakina.
Australian Open: Who will win?
SABALENKA forces FINAL into decider
The break has arrived! Sabalenka has done it! She breaks Elena Rybakina late in the second set to push this into decider.
It was such a simple game for Sabalenka. Rybakina, serving to go level 5-5, ends up getting overwhelmed by Sabalenka's returns. She is unable to land her forehands and ends up losing the game, and in turn the set.
This is what pressure does to you.
After 2 sets, Sabalenka and Rybakina are level. And we are going into the decider.
Sabalenka vs Rybakina: What's changed in second set
Aryna Sabalenka holds the edge over Rybakina right now, although she has not been able to break her in the second set.
But it looks clear that Sabalenka is putting Rybakina in problems.
Sabalenka has more of a kick in her second serve. And she has been exceptional in converting her first serves to points.
Rybakina's long levers have helped her stay in rallies, but she has been wasteful in a lot of shots as well.
Australian Open: Sold out crowd for the final
It is a sold out crowd for the final of the women's singles competition.
The crowd has been exceptional throughout the tournament this year, and I think we will soon get a oress release about an attendance record.
AUS Open: Sabalenka serving incredibly well
Aryna Sabalenka is serving incredibly well at the moment. She is rushing through her service games and making Rybakina work hard for her service points.
One wonders, for how long will Rybakina be able to keep up the intensity that she has been playing in.
The Kazakh star has done very well to show composure and keep up with the power of Sabalenka, but is not looking as smooth as she did in the first set.
Sabalenka is dishing out venomous serves right now and has a win percentage of 91 on her first serves.
Australian Open Live: Jittery Rybakina struggles in 2nd set
Aryna Sabalenka has come with a lot of fire in the second set. Rybakina, up by a set looks jittery and is struggling to hold her serve.
It has taken her 5 deuces to win the second game. But you have to give it to Rybakina for holding her nerve under pressure.
Sabalenka had 3 break points but could not convert.
So, it is 1-1 in the second set.
Australian Open: Rod Laver Arena looking gorgeous
Let's catch our breath a bit before the second set of this women's singles final.
Marvel the beauty of the Rod Laver Arena.
AUS Open Final: Advantage Rybakina
Sabalenka's coach is shouting instruction
Shorter swing, shorter swing on the return, shouts Sabalenka's coach from the side court.
Sabalenka is trailing 3-5 at the moment.
Curated by Dr. Elena Rodriguez
