Rybakina keeps her cool to beat Sabalenka in tense Melbourne final

The big-serving Kazakh fifth seed fought back from 0-3 in the deciding set to triumph 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne in 2hrs 18mins. It was payback after the Belarusian Sabalenka won the 2023 final between two of the hardest hitters in women's tennis. Rybakina, 26, who was born in Moscow, adds the Melbourne crown to her Wimbledon win in 2022. Rybakina has a reputation for being unflappable but she said she was nervous in losing the second set, even though she did not show it, and again as she served for the match.