Aryna Sabalenka AO Champion

Day Thirteen - Women’s final at the 2023 Australian Open.

2023 Australian Open, on Hard, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 16-29 January 2023.

2022 champion (not defending):

Ashleigh Barty (1) who defeated Danielle Collins (27) 6-3 7-6(2)

Final:

Elena Rybakina (22) (Kazakhstan) v Aryna Sabalenka (5) (Belarus)

Sabalenka won all three previous contests between the pair before the final.

This included the most recent - round of sixteen at Wimbledon 2021.

However, Rybakina won Wimbledon last year, while this would be the first final at Grand Slam level for Sabalenka.

Both players began serving missiles - several aces in the first three games.

Sabalenka led 1-1 40-0, but then she misfired, missing with her first serve.

Rybakina capitalised, hitting a couple of winners. Then a double fault, and ultimately serve was lost.

Rybakina consolidated to lead 3-1.

Serving at 4-3, Rybakina saved two break points, but Sabalenka achieved the break with a backhand winner. 4-4.

Having done the hard work to break back, Sabalenka soon found herself down 15-40, a double fault and backhand error not helping.

A second double fault and Rybakina was ahead 5-4.

Serving for the set, the Wimbledon champ was donated two backhand errors and had 30-0.

A forehand was too good and Rybakina had three set points.

Sabalenka put a return into the net and the set was over.

Rybakina led 6-4.

Sabalenka served first in set two, and faced two break points, thanks to consistent hitting from Rybakina, forcing errors, and including an off forehand winner.

Big serving and a clean forehand winner saved the game for Sabalenka.

Despite some winning Sabalenka forehands, Rybakina levelled at 1-1.

At deuce in game three, Sabalenka delivered two aces.

In the fourth game, Rybakina saved a break point with an ace. 

A mishit forehand from Rybakina on the second break point gave Sabalenka a 3-1 lead.

Sabalenka saved a break point in the fifth game with a backhand winner.

Serve was held.

Backhand winners, cross court and down the line, assisted Sabalenka to gain two break points in the sixth game.

Rybakina saved them both. Another backhand winner from Sabalenka, and a third break chance. Also saved.

Serve held. 4-2 Sabalenka.

Rybakina served again at 2-5, to stay in the set.

At 15-30, Sabalenka hit a winner and had two set points.

Rybakina saved them both, the second with a backhand winner. Serve was held.

Sabalenka served for the set at 5-3.

Forehand miss, then forehand winner from Rybakina. 15-15. Forehand miss then backhand winner from Rybakina. 30-30.

Ace, then ace on second serve. Set to Sabalenka 6-3.

Four games into the decider and no break points faced. 2-2.

Big serving enabled Rybakina to save a break point in game five and she held for 3-2.

Serving at 3-3, Rybakina faced break point on three occasions.

Twice she saved the situation. Sabalenka cashed in on the third to lead 4-3.

Although taken to deuce, Sabalenka held and led 5-3.

Rybakina served to stay in the match. Held for 4-5.

Sabalenka served for it.

Double fault on first match point.

Forehand error on second match point.

Error on third match point 

Rybakina error on fourth match point.

Aryna Sabalenka wins the match 4-6 6-3 6-4 and becomes the 2023 Australian Open Women’s Singles Champion.