By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GettyImages.
The No.5 seed Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka 6‑4 4‑6 6-4 to win the Australian Open and exact revenge for her defeat to the current world No. 1 three years ago in Melbourne.
Rybakina becomes a two-time Grand Slam champion and has now beaten the world’s top-ranked player eight times during her career.
She made a strong start, breaking in the first game of the match and winning the first set 6-4. But Sabalenka won the second set to level the match and quickly raced into a 3-0 lead in the decider.
But Rybakina reeled off five games in a row to wrestle back control and served it out for her second Grand Slam title, avenging her defeat to Sabalenka.
“It’s hard to find words, but I want to congratulate Aryna for her amazing results in the last couple of years… I hope we’re going to play many more finals together,” Moscow-born Rybakina said, before addressing her fans.
“I want to say thank you to you guys for the incredible atmosphere. Your support kept us going. Thank you to Kazakhstan. I felt the support from that corner a lot.
“It’s really a Happy Slam and I always enjoy coming here.”
Rybakina was born in Moscow but represents Kazakhstan, and the national flag was unfurled for photos on the court as she paraded the trophy around.