Australian Open Women's Singles LIVE, Elena Rybakina v Aryna Sabalenka. AP
Champion Aryna Sabalenka:
"It's such an inspiration to receive this trophy from you [Billie Jean King]. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for our support. I couldn’t be more thankful.
“I want to congratulate Elena for an incredible two weeks. You are such a great player. I hope we have many more battles and hopefully in finals of Grand Slams. Congratulations to your team.
"Thank you for an amazing atmosphere. It was enjoyable to play in front of you. Thanks to my team - the craziest team on tour. We’ve been through a lot of downs last year. We worked so hard and you guys deserve this trophy."
"First I would like to congratulate Aryna on the title and a great start to the season. I know how hard you have worked for that and your team. Good luck for the rest of the season and hopefully we are going to have many more battles," runner-up Elena Rybakina said at the presentation ceremony.
"I want to say a big thank you to my team for the great job we have done; to my family, coach and president of the Kazakhstan Federation, thank you so much for the support."
Sabalenka is delighted!
This is your moment, @SabalenkaA 🙌#AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/EI91Y0NLIQ
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2023
Australian Open 2023: Sabalenka is AO winner
Tanuj Lakhina reports from Melbourne: Aryna Sabalenka does it the hard way in the end but that has been the theme of this match. She converts a fourth match point, while saving a break point, to become the 2023 Australian Open champion. Credit to her for holding on and not buckling under pressure even if one of those match points was wasted with a double fault. What a show from both these women and has been an incredible contest!
Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka, Australian Open final preview: Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina will meet on Saturday in an Australian Open final which promises to be an exhibition of powerful hitting and big serving.
Belarusian fifth seed Sabalenka is regarded as a slight favourite, although it is Moscow-born Kazakh Rybakina who has the experience of having already won a Grand Slam.
The 23-year-old won Wimbledon last year and acknowledges that her serve is her “weapon”. If that fires under the lights at Rod Laver Arena, Sabalenka could be in trouble.
Rybakina has sent down 45 aces in reaching the decider at Melbourne Park, easily more than anyone else in the women’s draw.
“It’s going to be a tough battle,” Rybakina said after defeating two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka in the semi-finals, having disposed of top-ranked Iga Swiatek in the fourth round.
Rybakina will be roared on from the sidelines by her sister and parents, who were not court-side when she triumphed at Wimbledon last year.
She is taking extra inspiration from their presence.
“It’s the first time they’re all together here. I’m super happy that we can spend evenings together and they can watch me live,” she said.
The 24-year-old Sabalenka is one win away from a breakthrough first Grand Slam crown and is in exceptional form.
She has won all 10 matches she has contested this season and has not dropped a set in 2023, her power game overwhelming opponents.
She is more brutal than Rybakina, her muscles generating spin and driving the ball through the court.
It is a trait Sabalenka has always possessed, but it was often stymied by her fractious nerves. But not this year.
Sabalenka has turned it around by working tirelessly last year with her coaches, a sports psychologist and a biomechanical specialist.
“I was trying to do less screaming after some bad points or some errors,” Sabalenka said. “I was just trying to hold myself, stay calm, just think about the next point.
“I’m still screaming ‘C’mon!’ and all that stuff, just less negative emotions.”
But Rybakina’s coach Stefano Vukov believes her run to the title at Wimbledon will give her the edge on Saturday.
“I think experience is a big factor. Once you go through the rollercoaster ride once, you know what to expect, more or less, emotionally,” Vukov said.
“I think Aryna is an extremely powerful player, great forehand,” he added.
“Can have a great serving day, can have a bad serving day, something we will try to capitalise on tomorrow.
“I think who serves well tomorrow goes through. That’s my feeling.”
With AFP inputs
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Sabalenka said she felt the WTA had been even handed in dealing with players from all countries.
Jessica Pegula will have a day off before she has to face Elena Rybakina and she says she is relishing the chance.
Three-times Miami winner Victoria Azarenka fell to Poland's Magda Linette but third-seed Jessica Pegula advanced with a 6-1, 7-6 (7/0) win over fellow American Danielle Collins
