Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus reacts during the women's singles final match between Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at Australian Open tennis tournament, in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
MELBOURNE, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus fought back from a set down to defeat reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina to win the Australian Open women's singles title on Saturday.
In a nerve-jangling final, Sabalenka overcame the gallant 22nd seed 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to record her first Grand Slam triumph.
It capped a spectacular tournament for Sabalenka, who hadn't dropped a set before the final, while Rybakina of Kazakhstan was unable to add a Grand Slam title to last year's Wimbledon crown. ■
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus reacts during the women's singles final match between Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at Australian Open tennis tournament, in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus competes during the women's singles final match between Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at Australian Open tennis tournament, in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan competes during the women's singles final match between Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at Australian Open tennis tournament, in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan serves during the women's singles final match between Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at Australian Open tennis tournament, in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus competes during the women's singles final match between Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at Australian Open tennis tournament, in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan reacts during the women's singles final match between Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at Australian Open tennis tournament, in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus reacts during the women's singles final match between Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at Australian Open tennis tournament, in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus poses with the trophy after winning the women's singles final match between Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at Australian Open tennis tournament, in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Aryna Sabalenka poses with the trophy after winning the women's singles final match between Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at Australian Open tennis tournament, in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus poses with the trophy after winning the women's singles final match between Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at Australian Open tennis tournament, in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus poses with the trophy after winning the women's singles final match between Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at Australian Open tennis tournament, in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus poses with the trophy after winning the women's singles final match between Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at Australian Open tennis tournament, in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Aryna Sabalenka (R) of Belarus and Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan pose during the trophy ceremony after the women's singles final match at Australian Open tennis tournament, in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus poses with the trophy after winning the women's singles final match between Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at Australian Open tennis tournament, in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus speaks to the spectators with the trophy after winning the women's singles final match between Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at Australian Open tennis tournament, in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Aryna Sabalenka (L) of Belarus and Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan pose during the trophy ceremony after the women's singles final match at Australian Open tennis tournament, in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Aryna Sabalenka (L) of Belarus hugs Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan after the women's singles final match at Australian Open tennis tournament, in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
