The two best players in Melbourne meet as Sabalenka aims to continue her incredible run to clinch a first grand slam
In the opening set of Aryna Sabalenka’s quarter-final with Donna Vekic at the Australian Open, she was struggling. Sabalenka tried to hold off her challenger, but every service game was a desperate battle. She faced 10 break points in four consecutive games, and could have cracked.
Yet every time Sabalenka was pressured she remained calm as she stepped up to the baseline and produced an enormous serve or explosive forehand. Sabalenka survived the set, and never looked back.
Written by Tumaini Carayol in Melbourne
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/jan/27/australian-open-tennis-aryna-sabalenka-elena-rybakina-womens-final-preview under the title “Full metal final: Sabalenka takes on Rybakina in Australian Open epic”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.