SABALENKA STRONGEST

Belarusian shows power and precision to outslug Rybakina for first Grand Slam title

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MELBOURNE - Aryna Sabalenka is no longer afraid of big stages.

Overcoming a history of buckling under the pressure of lateround Grand Slam tennis, the powerful 24-year-old from Belarus came from behind to beat Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the Australian Open women's final on Saturday.

In a match-up of two of the biggest hitters in the sport, Sabalenka was a little more fearless and clinical than Wimbledon champion Rybakina in the crucial moments to cap off a dominant summer of tennis in Australia.

It was Sabalenka's first Grand Slam title in a rocky career that has included the kind of error-ridden, big-moment meltdowns from which some players almost never recover. Before Saturday's win, she had been to three Slam semi-finals but never won.

The match proved a microcosm of her career - a shaky start, filled with ill-timed double faults followed by a steadying mid-match recovery before a final-set display of raw power and precision that her opponent could not answer.

On the final, anxious point, Rybakina sent a forehand long. In an instant, Sabalenka was on her back on the blue court on Rod Laver Arena, crying tears of joy and relief.

"I fought so hard to win this one... I really enjoyed this battle," she said.