At the Australian Open tennis tournament, Arina Sabalenka defeated Jelena Rybakina in the women’s singles. In Saturday’s final, Sabalenka took the sets 4–6, 6–3, 6–4.
Belarusian Arina Sabalenka beat Kazakhstan in women’s singles Jelena Rybakina on Saturday. The Australian Open is the first grand slam tournament of the tennis season. In the final, the sets went to Sabalenka 4–6, 6–3, 6–4.
The first set progressed smoothly, but Rybakina managed the end sovereignly. She had two break points in a 4–4 tie, and Rybakina settled the set without giving a single point to Sabalenka. The second set lasted almost an hour, when, for example, 13 balls were played in a 4–1 situation. However, Sabalenka was stronger.
In the third set, the championship was fought for a long time. In the situation 5–4, Sabalenka had three match points. In the end, Rybikana hit the return ball long and Sabalenka fell to the surface of the court to celebrate.
Sabalenka won the first singles grand slam of her career. Sabalenka’s route to the final was easy, as only one player from the top ten in the world ranking was against her.
However, Sabalenka had not lost a single set in the tournament before the final. In addition to this, he has won all his matches this season.
The championship trophy was handed to Sabalenka by a tennis legend Billie Jean King.
– It is really inspiring to receive this trophy from you. Thank you for everything you have done for our sport. I couldn’t be more grateful, Sabalenka said in his championship speech.
The Russian war of aggression is again a topic of conversation
Last season, the Belarusian Sabalenka was not allowed to play in Wimbledon, because citizens of Russia and Belarus were banned from the tournament. Before the start of the tournament in Australia, Sabalenka stated that she was disappointed when politics affected the sport.
– We were excluded from Wimbledon and what did it affect? Nowhere. They (Russian government) still continue the war and it is sad. No one is in favor of war – no one, Sabalenka said (you switch to another service).
Flags of countries in Australia banned (you switch to another service) January 17th. Supporters waved the Russian flag in the stands while the Ukrainian Kateryna Baindl and Russian Kamilla Rakhimova met in the opening round.
Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine became a topic of conversation again before Saturday. On Wednesday, the International Olympic Committee announced that it is investigating whether Russians and Belarusians could return to international competitions as neutral athletes, similar to tennis.
In the Australian tennis final, Sabalenka played as a neutral athlete.
Rybakina, on the other hand, is a Russian representing Kazakhstan.
Rybakina, who lives in Moscow, represented Russia until 2018. When he transitioned from junior to professional, the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation reported (you switch to another service), that wants to financially support his career. Rybakina was granted citizenship.
Rybakin gave a clear answer when asked about his position on the war of aggression in July (you switch to another service).
– I don’t understand the question, my English is not very good, Rybakina said.
Rybakina once again beat the world number one on the way to the final By Iga Swiatek and two grand slam winners Victoria Azarenka mixed Jelena Ostapenko. Rybakina became the first player representing Kazakhstan in the top ten of the world rankings in singles. Known for his excellent passes, he also set a new ace serve record for the Australian tournament.