Elena Rybakina produced a thunderous display to dismantle Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 on Saturday and capture a maiden Australian Open title, turning the tables on the world number one in their Melbourne Park final rematch from three years ago.
In the first Grand Slam final since 2008 featuring players yet to drop a set, it was top seed Sabalenka who blinked first under the Rod Laver Arena roof as Rybakina came out all guns blazing to break in the opening game and wrest control.
The Kazakh fifth seed’s huge ball-striking caused all sorts of problems for twice-champion Sabalenka, as she comfortably got to set point in the 10th game and finished it off to…