Australian Open: Anna Blinkova needs 10 match points and takes Rybakina out after an amazing match tiebreak!
Anna Blinkova (WTA No. 57) caused a big surprise at the Australian Open 2024: She won against co-favorite Elena Rybakina 6:4, 4:6, 7:6 [22:20]. She needed ten match points.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Jan 18, 2024, 01:51 pm
This means that number 3 in the world and in the women's tournament is out! Rybakina had a fantastic start to the new year and won straight away in Brisbane. And was also considered one of the big favorites in Melbourne.
The match against Blinkova ended up being a battle of nerves, the match tiebreak (actually up to 10) didn't want to end. Until Rybakina put the last ball out. Blinkova will now face Jasmine Paolini, who defeated Tatjana Maria.
Longest tiebreaker in history!
The tiebreak at the end was the longest single tiebreak in Grand Slam history with 42 points.
“I will never forget this day,” said an overjoyed Blinkova at the end. "Especially with these spectators on this pitch. It's the best day of my life."
Blinkova already had her first match points at 6:5 in the third set, and in the end she used her tenth! Rybakina, for her part, had six chances to win in the match tiebreak.
Out for Emma Raducanu
Meanwhile, Emma Raducanu lost: The 2022 US Open winner lost to Yafan Wang 4:6, 6:4 and 4:6. Raducanu celebrated her comeback in Australia after a long injury break, survived the first round in Melbourne and left a strong impression. Today she also had to struggle with health problems, but after many mistakes at the beginning she found her way back into the match.
Further ahead, however, are Sloane Stephens (4:6, 6:3, 6:3 against Daria Kasatkina), Emma Navarro (4:6, 6:3, 6:3 against Elisabetta Cocciaretto), Elina Svitolina (6:1, 6: 3 against Viktoriya Tomova) and Viktorija Golubic (6:3, 2:6, 6:4 against Katerina Siniakova).
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