Rybakina's third-set comeback sets stage for second Slam title

Elena Rybakina finally won her second Grand Slam title with a victory over top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open on Saturday, and it was something of a testament to quiet achievers.

- BY JOHN PYE

ELENA RYBAKINA sealed her second Grand Slam title with a kiss after winning the Australian Open.

(DITA ALANGKARA Associated Press)

After some tumult at the start of last year, including the suspension of her coach, Rybakina finished the year with a title at the WTA Finals in November. And now she has started the new year with a major championship.

Her low-key celebration was symbolic of her understated run through the tournament: a small fist pump, a quick embrace with Sabalenka, a handshake with the chair umpire, a smile and a few hand claps on the strings of her racket and a wave to acknowledge the crowd.

It happened quickly after Rybakina closed with an ace to cap a third-set comeback and a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win over a regular rival who beat her in the final here in 2023.

"The heart rate was definitely beating too fast. Even maybe [my] face didn't show, but inside it was a lot of emotions," the 26-year-old Rybakina, who was born in Moscow but represents Kazakhstan, said of her calm and clinical finish.

She knew she had to capitalize quickly this time, after she acknowledged getting tight and needing almost a half-hour from her first match point to her match-winning point in a semifinal win over Jessica Pegula.

Three years ago Rybakina won the first set of the Australian Open final but lost the match in three.