Excluding the deciding set, both competitors displayed formidable serving, with only three of the initial nineteen games presenting opportunities for a break point.
Rybakina immediately signaled her intent with a swift break on Rod Laver Arena, recovering from being 0-30 down on Sabalenka’s serve to achieve an ideal start.
The Kazakh player conceded just three points across her first three service games and negated two break points with consecutive, precise first serves to secure a 5-3 lead before concluding the opening set.
Seeking an immediate retort, Sabalenka escalated the intensity at the commencement of the second set, but a steadfast Rybakina used her serve to escape three break points.
There would be no evasion, however, when Sabalenka generated three more break points with Rybakina serving to stay in the set, leading the top seed to seize her opportunity and force a decisive set.
It was at this point that the final truly intensified. Rybakina maintained her calm as Sabalenka threatened to seize victory with a five-game streak from 4-4 in the second set to a 3-0 lead in the third.
Sabalenka exploited a vulnerable service game from her rival, in which Rybakina managed only one first serve, before defending a break point to broaden her lead in the deciding set.
Yet, Rybakina achieved a return break two games later as unforced errors began to plague Sabalenka, who had allowed her emotions to overwhelm her in last year’s Grand Slam final losses.
Empowered by renewed confidence, Rybakina stabilized her serve after Sabalenka squandered the chance to break for a 4-2 advantage – and then struck again in the subsequent game as the top seed faltered.
Serving for the championship, she remained resolute when Sabalenka drew level at 30-30, masterfully ignoring the pressure and delivering two powerful serves to claim the triumph.
