Elena Rybakina added another Grand Slam title to her collection after delivering an outstanding performance in the Australian Open final.
In three sets, Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka to hoist a maiden trophy at Melbourne Park, winning 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
The Kazakh star was trailing 3-0 in the third set, but fought back to overcome the world number one, claiming her second straight win in the head-to-head, following her triumph at the WTA Finals.
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After winning match point, Rybakina‘s celebration was seemingly relaxed, as though she had made it past the first round rather than winning a Grand Slam.
Former US Open finalist Greg Rusedski suggested her chilled reaction was simply down to her personality.
Greg Rusedski discusses Elena Rybakina’s ‘biggest strength’
“She’s being her authentic self,” said Rusedski in an episode of ‘Off Court with Greg‘.
“What a way to finish with that ace out wide, you know, perfect timing, everybody’s thinking, okay, she’s serving for five four, and Sabalenka wins the opening point.
“It goes to 30 all, but she just stays calm and composed; that is her biggest strength. Does it win her a lot of fans because she’s so reserved? I think the tennis does.
“The personality, we just don’t know her well enough. We’ve got to know more about her.
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“She’s got everything to be a superstar, but we’ve got to know the personality more if she’s not just going to be known in the tennis circles but outside of them.
“So, like if I look at Sabalenka, my daughter is not into tennis like I am, but everybody knows Sabalenka, just because those TikTok dances, her personality, her athleticism, her outspokenness, her personal life, all those things add the dimension that people want to know more about her.
“But what a final. Very much enjoyed it.”
Greg Rusedski says he does not think Elena Rybakina will win Roland Garros
Despite her incredible campaign Down Under, Rusedski does not think Rybakina can follow it up with a triumph at Roland Garros.
He said: “I don’t think she’ll be able to win the French Open coming up just because her movement isn’t quite good enough, but I think she’s in line to win a second Wimbledon title.”
Rybakina earned her seventh win against Sabalenka in their rivalry, with the head-to-head now 8-7 in favour of the Belarusian.
“I think this will be the big rivalry,” claimed Rusedski. “Because both women are fantastic games.
“Sabalenka has more personality, Rybakina is the quieter of the two and just lets her tennis do the talking.”
Sabalenka last managed to beat Rybakina at the Wuhan Open last season.
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