Belarusian big hitter Aryna Sabalenka won her first grand slam tournament with a thrilling three set-win (4-6, 6-3, 6-4) over Elena Rybakina at the 2023 Australian Open. With scorching serves (16 aces) and ultra-aggressive play, the 24-year-old Sabalenka overwhelmed the sharp and precise strokes of her counterpart. In doing so, the newly crowned Australian Open Women’s champion has reclaimed the no. 2 spot in the world rankings.
On her road to the championship, the 6-foot stunner was someone who wouldn’t take no for an answer, especially when she dominated her semifinal match against upset-minded Magda Linette of Poland. Sabalenka, who’s never made it past the penultimate stage of a major tournament, made it count when she finally did.
Considering the way she had captured the crown in Melbourne, it’s not hard to see how Sabalenka can secure more majors trophies in the near future. Her powerful serve and equally powerful baseline shots are tough to overcome. A little more fine-tuning in her game and she could be unstoppable.
Despite being among the highest ranked women’s tennis players for quite a while, Aryna Sabalenka has yet to become a household name. She has already won two grand slam doubles titles and now she’s got one major singles crown. A couple more performances like her latest conquest and for sure, her popularity will skyrocket in no time.