Tennis-Sabalenka overpowers Rybakina for first Grand Slam win at Australian Open

Tennis - Australian Open - Women's Singles Final - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 28, 2023 Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka in action during her final match against Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina REUTERS/Loren Elliott

MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Aryna Sabalenka tamed her nerves to blast her way to a maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, with a 4-6 6-3 6-4 win over Kazakh 22nd seed Elena Rybakina on Saturday in a thrilling final featuring two power-hitters in the women's game.

Sabalenka's 11th straight win of the year will propel the Belarusian fifth seed back to her career-high ranking of number two behind Poland's Iga Swiatek, as she reaps the rewards of an improved playing mindset in the New Year.