President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko congratulated Aryna Sabalenka on her victory at the Grand Slam tournament - the Australian Open. BELTA was informed about this by the press service of the Belarusian leader.
"I watched the first [match], rooted, worried, swore at times, but predicted the victory - in the second and third sets. And, of course, congratulated her immediately!" - writes the Telegram channel "Pool of the First".
In Melbourne, in the decisive match of the Australian Open, Sabalenka defeated Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan - 4:6, 6:3, 6:4.
Playing in a singles final of such a high level for the first time, Aryna Sabalenka lost the first set, making five double faults with five aces. The Belarusian played the second set much more composedly, making only one double fault on her serves. In the deciding set, the opponents held their serves three times in a row, and then Sabalenka managed to win her opponent's serve and then defeated her opponent. In today's final, the best Belarusian tennis player served 17 aces, making 7 double faults. The match lasted 2 hours and 28 minutes.
Thus, 24-year-old Aryna Sabalenka became the second Belarusian to win the Australian Open singles title. Before her, Victoria Azarenka did it twice in a row, being the best in 2012 and 2013. Now Sabalenka has 12 WTA titles. In addition, she has won 8 doubles titles, including two Grand Slams - the US Open - 2019 and the Australian Open - 2021, together with Elise Mertens of Belgium.
Thanks to her successful performance on the courts of Melbourne Park, Aryna Sabalenka will rise in the Women's Tennis Association rankings from 5th to 2nd place.
Source: belta.by