Advertisement

Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka - LIVE: Australian Open women’s final result as Sabalenka wins thriller

Aryna Sabalenka fought from a set down to defeat Elena Rybakina and win the Australian Open, her first grand slam title.

In a thrilling battle over two hours and 29 minutes, the 24-year-old from Belarus won 4-6 6-3 6-4 against the Wimbledon champion Rybakina, who was denied a second grand slam title.

In winning her first grand slam final, Sabalenka extended her winning run to 11 matches to start the season, but the fifth seed was forced to come from behind after losing her first set since that run began.

However Sabalenka, who started the year in red-hot form after fixing her serve and addressing her mental approach during the off-season, turned the match around with a powerful display of shot-making from the baseline.

Sabalenka won the match on her fourth Championship point was overwhelmed by emotion as she celebrated her first grand slam title.

Follow live reaction from the Australian Open women’s final, below:

Australian Open LIVE: Rybakina vs Sabalenka updates

  • Aryna Sabalenka completes comeback to defeat Elena Rybakina in Australian Open women’s final

  • Sabalenka responds to win second set 6-3 and force a deciding set against Rybakina

  • Impressive Rybakina wins opening set 6-4, the first set Sabalenka has dropped all tournament

  • Wimbledon champion bids for second grand slam title, with Sabalenka in first grand slam final

  • Britain’s Alfie Hewett wins first Australian Open wheelchair singles title and seventh grand slam

Aryna Sabalenka defeats Elena Rybakina to win Australian Open

11:24 , Jamie Braidwood

Billie Jean King will present the trophy to Aryna Sabalenka, who is a winner in her first grand slam final.

Aryna Sabalenka defeats Elena Rybakina to win thrilling final

11:23 , Jamie Braidwood

Such composure from Sabalenka to get over the line! What a thrilling match.

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina 6-4 3-6 4-6 Aryna Sabalenka - Game, set and match!

11:15 , Jamie Braidwood

Back to deuce... Sabalenka launches the first serve, Rybakina’s return is short, and Sabalenka powers the forehand winner!

Fourth Championship point... and Rybakina goes long! Sabalenka has done it! She has fought from a set down to defeat the Wimbledon champion, and she collapses to her back, overwhelmed by emotion!

What a final!

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina 6-4 3-6 4-5 Aryna Sabalenka*

11:10 , Jamie Braidwood

Two nervy points to start the game: Rybakina firing long on the forehand and then Sabalenka netting on the crosscourt shot.

A Sabalenka error allowed Rybakina a look at 15-30, but the Wimbledon champion then goes long!

30-30... Ace from Sabalenka!

Championship point... double fault! That was a huge second serve from Sabalenka, but it’s long!

Deuce... and Sabalenka fires the forehand winner crosscourt that catches the line! Stunning shot.

Second Championship point... but Rybakina hangs on with a great return!

Crosscourt winner from Rybakina! That’s so gutsy from the 23-year-old! Another winner onto the line.

Break point... but Sabalenka produces the huge serve out wide!

Deuce... but Rybakina nets on the forehand exchange!

Third Championship point... and Sabalenka goes long on the backhand! This is so, so tense!

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina 6-4 3-6 4-5 Aryna Sabalenka*

11:03 , Jamie Braidwood

Rybakina was in a tricky spot at 15-15 but prevailed in the forehand exchange, before her serve got her to 40-15.

She gets the hold with a lovely forehand winner into the corner... and now Sabalenka will serve for the Australian Open title.

*denotes next server

Australian Open 2023: *Elena Rybakina 6-4 3-6 3-5 Aryna Sabalenka

10:59 , Jamie Braidwood

Rybakina goes long on the forehand - which has been causing her problems ever since the first set - but is able to drag Sabalenka to deuce. However Sabalenka finds the big serves when required, sending an ace out wide to move a game away.

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina 6-4 3-6 3-4 Aryna Sabalenka* - Sabalenka breaks!

10:54 , Jamie Braidwood

Another break point chance for Sabalenka, after she powers the forehand winner crosscourt!

But Rybakina picks her spot with the second serve out wide, as Sabalenka swipes her racket in frustration.

Rybakina pushes long on the backhand, though, as Sabalenka shrieks.

Another chance: but Sabalenka goes long on the forehand return! And another forehand return error from Sabalenka!

Sabalenka instead powers the backhand winner down the line following the baseline exchange.

Rybakina nets on the backhand, another break point: Sabalenka’s return almost knocks Rybakina off her feet!

Sabalenka breaks and is two games away from the title!

Australian Open 2023: *Elena Rybakina 6-4 3-6 3-3 Aryna Sabalenka

10:46 , Jamie Braidwood

Sabalenka fires two aces as she holds to 15. She is not allowing Rybakina much of a look on her serve now.

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina 6-4 3-6 3-2 Aryna Sabalenka*

10:41 , Jamie Braidwood

At 30-0, Rybakina makes her first double fault of the match, and Sabalenka jumps on it. She fires another brilliant backhand winner down the line to set up break point, but Rybakina lands the first serve and Sabalenka can’t keep the chipped return in play.

Sabalenka hangs in the game, powering forehands at Rybakina before finding the winner. But Rybakina stays cool to steer the backhand winner, and then gets out with her hold.

Australian Open 2023: *Elena Rybakina 6-4 3-6 2-2 Aryna Sabalenka

10:35 , Jamie Braidwood

Sabalenka lets out a roar after digging out a couple of winners to rally from 0-15 down.

This is a proper final now, balancing on very fine margins.

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina 6-4 3-6 2-1 Aryna Sabalenka*

10:30 , Jamie Braidwood

Rybakina is able to put away a forehand winner after Sabalenka clipped the netcord, and then the Kazakh shows variety with the backhand slice.

Australian Open 2023: *Elena Rybakina 6-4 3-6 1-1 Aryna Sabalenka

10:28 , Jamie Braidwood

Sabalenka is able to move Sabalenka around to get her opening hold to 15. It has been really impressive how Sabalenka has steadied on the serve, and it’s the Belarusian who is now asking the questions.

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina 6-4 3-6 1-0 Aryna Sabalenka*

10:24 , Jamie Braidwood

Rybakina gets the opening hold, and fairly comfortably. Improving her first-set percentage will be key if she is to overturn the momentum.

Australian Open 2023: *Elena Rybakina 6-4 3-6 Aryna Sabalenka - Sabalenka wins second set!

10:17 , Jamie Braidwood

Rybakina misses a chance on the Sabalenka second serve but then the Belarusian leaves a ball short, which Rybakina puts away.

Sabalenka finds her first serve and gets a look at a third set point.

Ace from Sabalenka! On the second serve!

And we’re off to the decider!

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina 6-4 3-5 Aryna Sabalenka*

10:14 , Jamie Braidwood

Wow - Sabalenka launches herself at the Rybakina second serve, which has dropped like a stone, and the flying forehand winner brings up two set points!

Rybakina saves the first with an ace - and then Sabalenka is unable to do enough on the second serve.

Deuce - and what a point! Both players swing for the lines but Rybakina keeps her head to put away a cool pick-up volley.

And Rybakina survives again as Sabalenka goes long. She’s missed chances in two games in a row, but Sabalenka will serve for the second set next.

Australian Open 2023: *Elena Rybakina 6-4 2-5 Aryna Sabalenka

10:07 , Jamie Braidwood

After missing out on three break point chances, Sabalenka races to a quick hold - finished emphatically with a smash at the net.

Rybakina’s first-serve percentage has dropped to 50 per cent in the second set - and she will serve to stay in it next.

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina 6-4 2-4 Aryna Sabalenka*

10:04 , Jamie Braidwood

Rybakina survives a lengthy service game and a couple of break points to stay in the set. Sabalenka is on top now, though, and is displaying controlled aggression and power from the baseline. The backhand down the line is working a treat.

Australian Open 2023: *Elena Rybakina 6-4 1-4 Aryna Sabalenka

09:53 , Jamie Braidwood

Sabalenka was broken back immediately in the first set, and comes under pressure straight away in the second. A nervy game leads to deuce, where Sabalenka throws in a costly double fault to bring up break point.

But from there Sabalenka commits to the backhand down the line and steps in to power the winner. Rybakina hangs in, but Sabalenka powers a smash and then an ace to escape with the hold.

She is up for the battle.

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina 6-4 1-3 Aryna Sabalenka* - Sabalenka breaks!

09:48 , Jamie Braidwood

Breakthrough in the second set, in what was Sabalenka’s best return game of the match. Sabalenka steadies with good depth to the Rybakina baseline, setting up break point at 30-40. Rybakina finds the ace out wide but Sabalenka sets up another opportunity, and this time takes it as Sabalenka draws the error from Rybakina.

Australian Open 2023: *Elena Rybakina 6-4 1-2 Aryna Sabalenka

09:39 , Jamie Braidwood

Sabalenka looked to be in a comfortable position at 40-15, but winners are followed by errors and it’s never quite smooth-sailing. Still, she is responding well enough. She fires a couple of aces in a row to stay in front in the set.

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina 6-4 1-1 Aryna Sabalenka*

09:35 , Jamie Braidwood

Rybakina plays a lovely drop shot at the net but it’s Sabalenka who asks the questions in the 23-year-old’s first service game. Sabalenka moves Rybakina with a crosscourt winner and gets to deuce with another winner off the return, but Rybakina can close it out with the serve out wide.

Australian Open 2023: *Elena Rybakina 6-4 0-1 Aryna Sabalenka

09:30 , Jamie Braidwood

Sabalenka is faced with further pressure right from the off as the second set begins, with Rybakina arrowing the returns. It gets her to 15-40 and allows her a chance at an opening break, but Sabalenka produces the first serves to get out of trouble.

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina 6-4 Aryna Sabalenka* - Rybakina wins the first set!

09:21 , Jamie Braidwood

That is brilliant from Rybakina. She serves out the first set to love and takes a commanding position in this Australian Open women’s final. It’s the first set Sabalenka has dropped all tournament, but Rybakina is a different level when she is on this form.

Australian Open 2023: *Elena Rybakina 5-4 Aryna Sabalenka - Rybakina breaks!

09:17 , Jamie Braidwood

The first serve deserts Sabalenka and a double faults forces her to look at 0-30, but she responds well with a forehand down the line.

But Rybakina finds her depth again from the baseline and pushes Sabalenka into netting on the backhand, as she stretched.

Two break points: Rybakina attacks the second serve, but just misses long on the forehand.

Sabalenka goes big on the second serve - but long! Another double fault and Rybakina will serve for the set next!

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina 4-4 Aryna Sabalenka* - Sabalenka breaks!

09:12 , Jamie Braidwood

Sabalenka plays two excellent backhands crosscourt and deep to the Rybakina backhand. She puts the smash away on the first point before Rybakina nets on the second.

A chance at 0-30, and Sabalenka again hurries Rybakina by taking the return early, and Rybakina fires wide.

Three break points: and Sabalenka gets back on serve on the second! Rybakina played a backhand slice from midcourt and Sabalenka produces the backhand winner down the line!

Australian Open 2023: *Elena Rybakina 4-3 Aryna Sabalenka

09:08 , Jamie Braidwood

Sabalenka fires an ace out wide on 15-30, which was good timing after the double fault. Rybakina works herself into the rally at 30-30, but Sabalenka changes it up with the forehand down the line to force Rybakina to net.

And that’s an important hold. Sabalenka powers a backhand winner off the short return from Rybakina.

You’d still say both Rybakina and Sabalenka are playing well.

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina 4-2 Aryna Sabalenka*

09:05 , Jamie Braidwood

Rybakina is such a smooth player when in full flow. This has been an ice-cool start, as she holds to love to immediately put the pressure back on Sabalenka.

Australian Open 2023: *Elena Rybakina 3-2 Aryna Sabalenka

09:02 , Jamie Braidwood

That will be a boost to Sabalenka’s confidence, though. She fires two backhand winner to hold comfortably, but the Belarusian will have to break the Rybakina serve if she is to maintain her perfect record of 20 sets in a row to start 2023.

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina 3-1 Aryna Sabalenka*

09:00 , Jamie Braidwood

This has been a very impressive start from Rybakina. She races into a 40-0 lead on her serve and is on top in the baseline exchanges so far.

Australian Open 2023: *Elena Rybakina 2-1 Aryna Sabalenka - Rybakina breaks!

08:54 , Jamie Braidwood

Both Sabalenka and Rybakina are off to a flyer. Sabalenka crushes two more aces to get to 40-0, but then Rybakina shows her skills on the return game. She plants a backhand winner past Sabalenka on the second serve, and then steers a forehand crosscourt winner. Sabalenka tightens slightly and pulls a backhand wide.

Deuce.

Double fault from Sabalenka! Break point.

Great return from Rybakina! She pings the forehand deep, and Sabalenka fires wide off balance.

She breaks from 40-0 down.

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina 1-1 Aryna Sabalenka*

08:51 , Jamie Braidwood

Rybakina belts out two aces herself, after the forehand missed wide. Then the 23-year-old fires another out wide.

A strong, and expected, start.

Australian Open 2023: *Elena Rybakina 0-1 Aryna Sabalenka

08:48 , Jamie Braidwood

After all the talk about Sabalenka overcoming her issues with double faults, she throws one in on the opening points of the final! It’s followed by two aces, though, as she gets the hold.

In another time, that game may have gone very differently after that first double fault.

*denotes next server

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka

08:40 , Jamie Braidwood

Rybakina, who is the player with the grand slam experience, comes out first and is followed by Sabalenka. Both look cool on the stage.

Sabalenka wins the toss and elects to serve.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka

08:37 , Jamie Braidwood

Last year’s Australian Open champion, Ash Barty, carries out the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup to a standing ovation on Rod Laver Arena. The Australian announced her shock retirement after last year’s final win over Danielle Collins.

And here come the players!

Australian Open

08:32 , Jamie Braidwood

In other news, Alfie Hewett claimed his seventh grand slam title in wheelchair singles and first at the Australian Open with a straight-sets victory over Japanese teenager Tokito Oda.

Hewett had lost in the final at Melbourne Park for the last two years but made it third time lucky, defeating 16-year-old Oda 6-3 6-1.

The success made it a golden two days for the Norfolk player, who also won the doubles title with British team-mate Gordon Reid on Friday.

Hewett was 3-1 down in the first set but won five games in a row to clinch it and then repeated the sequence in the second set, sealing the victory with an ace before sobbing with delight.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka

08:31 , Jamie Braidwood

Here we go: it’s the battle between two big-hitters and two bigger serves, as Elena Rybakina faces Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open women’s final. It should be a cracker. Either way, a new champion will be crowned.

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka

08:21 , Jamie Braidwood

Aryna Sabalenka has taken control on and off the court and has a first grand slam title in her sights at the Australian Open, writes Eleanor Crooks.

The 24-year-old has been tipped as a future major champion for the last five years but her matches were frequently emotional rollercoasters and her three previous grand slam semi-finals all ended in defeat.

There has been something different about Sabalenka at Melbourne Park this year, though, and she is yet to drop a set in 10 matches in 2023, culminating in a first slam semi-final success against Magda Linette.

The Belarusian, who could become the first singles player to win a slam title under a neutral flag, celebrated that milestone with an understated clench of the fist before revealing she has stopped working with a sports psychologist.

“I realised that nobody other than me will help,” she said. “In pre-season, I spoke to my psychologist, saying ‘Listen, I feel like I have to deal with that by myself, because every time hoping that someone will fix my problem, it’s not fixing my problem’.

“I just have to take this responsibility and I just have to deal with that. I’m my psychologist.”

Aryna Sabalenka ready to realise huge potential in first Australian Open final

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka

08:09 , Jamie Braidwood

Sabalenka previews Rybakina final: “To be honest, I think I’m not going to do something extra. Like, I think that’s okay to feel little bit nervous. It’s a big tournament, big final.

“If you’re going to start trying to do something about that, it’s going to become bigger, you know? I’ll just leave it like that. It’s okay to feel nervous.

“About the match, yeah, she’s playing great tennis, serving well. I just have to be there and have to, again, work for it and put her under pressure. Yeah, that’s it.”

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka

07:56 , Jamie Braidwood

Rybakina previews women’s final: “It’s going to be tough battle. I think as today maybe I will not have to serve that big, that fast, so it doesn’t really matter the speed. It’s important to have a good placement on the serve. In these conditions, to serve full, full power, it’s not easy.

“The ball is not really going. Yeah, the same on the baseline. Just to play more deeper and do the same thing, try to come forward, just to expect maybe longer rallies than usual.”

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka

07:46 , Jamie Braidwood

Having lost her three previous grand slam semi-finals, with those defeats being characterised by a loaded rack of unforced errors, Sabalenka faced Magda Linette on Thursday unburdened by the past. Despite losing an opening break to the unseeded Polish player, Sabalenka remained measured. “Probably before I would start screaming at everybody,” she said. “Feeling bad, starting to overhit balls. Today I was like, okay, that’s happened, that’s fine. I’ll just keep working, keep trying, and I think I will find my rhythm.”

It meant that even as Linette took Sabalenka to an opening tiebreak, she was able to produce controlled aggression from the baseline and a level of overwhelming hitting that Linette could not match.  She had gone from a sailor caught in a storm in her previous grand slam semi-finals, sheets flapping and ropes flailing in the wind as errors flew wildly from her racket, to a player whose power was being harnessed in impressive style. A game which previously verged on the self-destructive, and was yet compelling like a slow 10-car pile-up, has found efficiency.

Aryna Sabalenka is chasing a first grand slam title (Aaron Favila/AP) (AP)
Aryna Sabalenka is chasing a first grand slam title (Aaron Favila/AP) (AP)

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka

07:31 , Jamie Braidwood

Aryna Sabalenka said she stopped consulting a psychologist in pre-season and took the mental aspect of her game into her own hands, reaping immediate rewards with a title in Adelaide and a spot in the Australian Open final.

The Belarusian fifth seed had lost her three previous Grand Slam semi-finals but downed Poland’s Magda Linette 7-6(1) 6-2 at Melbourne Park on Thursday to set up an intriguing title clash with Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.

The victory extended Sabalenka’s winning streak to 10 straight matches in 2023 without dropping a set, a run that followed a big decision before the start of the new season.

“To be honest I decided to stop working with a psychologist. I realised that nobody (other) than me will help me,” Sabalenka told reporters.

“In pre-season, I spoke to my psychologist saying ‘Listen, I feel I have to deal with that by myself,’ because every time I’m hoping that someone will fix my problem, it’s not fixing it.

“I just have to take this responsibility and I just have to deal with that. Yeah... I’m my (own) psychologist.”

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka

07:16 , Jamie Braidwood

Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka will do battle in a big-hitting Australian Open women’s final.

In two similar semi-finals, Wimbledon champion Rybakina saw off Victoria Azarenka 7-6 (4) 6-3 before Sabalenka reached her first grand slam singles final with a 7-6 (1) 6-2 victory over unseeded Pole Magda Linette.

The results mean a new women’s champion will be crowned at Melbourne Park, and both players were keen to stress that the job is not yet done.

“I’m happy, at the same time tired,” said Rybakina. “But I think it was a really good match. Different conditions today compared to other matches I played. I’m super happy to be in the final and ready to give everything I have left in one day.”

Sabalenka had fallen three times in grand slam semi-finals over the last two seasons but gave only a brief clenched fist after finally making it over the hurdle.

“There is still one more match to go,” said the Belarusian, who is yet to drop a set in 10 matches in 2023. “It’s good that I kind of break through in the semi-finals, but there is one more match to go. I just want to stay focused.”

Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina (Getty Images)
Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina (Getty Images)

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka

07:01 , Jamie Braidwood

Elena Rybakina says she will be less nervous in the Australian Open final after the experience of her Wimbledon win.

“I think because I knew what to expect. Everything was new at Wimbledon,” she said.

“Now I’m more or less understand what to expect. It’s nervous no matter what because it’s a final. Also semis, you always nervous before the match.

“But this time I think I was focusing more on the match, what I have to do, and maybe not to think what’s going to come or what’s going to happen around and so on.”

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka

06:49 , Jamie Braidwood

Rybakina’s run to the final:

1st round: 7-5 6-2 vs Cocciaretto

2nd round: 6-2 6-1 vs Juvan

3rd round: 6-2 5-7 6-2 vs Collins (13)

4th round: 6-4 6-4 vs Swiatek (1)

Quarters: 6-2 6-4 vs Ostapenko (17)

Semis: 7-6 6-3 vs Azarenka (23)

Final: vs Sabalenka (5)

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka

06:40 , Jamie Braidwood

Elena Rybakina defeated grand slam champions Iga Swiatek, Jelena Ostapenko and Victoria Azarenka to reach the Australian Open final for the first time.

“I think it was a great challenge for me because for sure they have experience of winning Grand Slams, so it was nothing new for them,” she said.

“For me this time I would say it was a bit easier also compared to Wimbledon when I was playing for the first time quarters, semis, final.

“For sure they’re very experienced players. I knew that I have to focus on every point. I think in the end I did real well.”

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka prediction

06:35 , Jamie Braidwood

In the clash of two big-hitting players, Sabalenka showed cleaner form and confidence from the baseline in the semi-finals. Rybakina has the edge in grand slam final experience and the huge weapon of her first will split the first two sets, but Sabalenka’s powerful game will be key in the decider.

What are the odds?

Rybakina: 6/5

Sabalenka: 8/11

Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka

06:33 , Jamie Braidwood

The final will take place on Saturday 28 January and will start from 8:30am GMT.

How to watch the Australian Open 2023

You can watch the Australian Open live on Eurosport in the UK. The action will be broadcast on Eurosport’s TV channels, or fans can tune into Discovery+ to stream the tournament, where an Entertainment & Sport pass is available for either £6.99/month or £59.99/year.

Sky has also announced that starting today, Discovery+ will be available at no extra cost for Sky customers, including for Sky Glass and Sky Stream customers.

If you’re not already a Sky customer, you can get a Sky Stream box, which comes with Sky TV and a Netflix basic plan. The device is currently discounted in Sky’s winter sale (was £26 per month, now £24 per month, Sky.com). This is Sky’s new device, and doesn’t require a satellite dish as it streams Sky directly over wifi.

Good morning

06:32 , Jamie Braidwood

Good morning and welcome to live coverage of the Australian Open women’s final as Elena Rybakina plays Aryna Sabalenka for the first grand slam title of the year. In a battle of two powerful big-hitters, Wimbledon champion Rybakina is aiming to add a second grand slam title in six months while Sabalenka, who is yet to drop a set so far this tournament, will be playing in her first major final.

The 23-year-old Rybakina defeated grand slam champions in world No 1 Iga Swiatek, Jelena Ostapenko and Victoria Azarenka to reach the Australian Open final for the first time. The Kazakh, who was born in Moscow, said she was not treated like a grand slam winner following her Wimbledon win last summer but there will be no disputing her status if she can win a second major title on the Rod Laver Arena.

Sabalenka, meanwhile, put struggles with her serve and mentality behind her to enter the season in red-hot form. The Belarusian, who is the first grand-slam finalist to compete under a neutral flag, has won 10 matches in a row to start the year without dropping a set. The 24-year-old reached her first grand slam by defeating Magda Linette, in what was her first grand slam semi-final victory in three previous attempts.