Rybakina first Kazakh player to win Grand Slam title

London, Jul 9 (EFE).- Elena Rybakina on Saturday rallied from a set down in the Wimbledon final to become the first player from Kazakhstan to win a Grand Slam title, denying Tunisian Ons Jabeur the same honor.

A wide backhand by Jabeur sealed the Moscow-born player’s 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 victory after nearly two hours of action.

“I was super nervous before the match, during the match and I’m happy it’s finished to be honest. Really I have never felt something like this,” Rybakina said.

Bidding to become the first Arab player to win a major title, the Tunisian player took the initiative, earning two service breaks in the third and ninth games, while facing zero break points.

But the momentum soon shifted in Rybakina’s favor as she grew in confidence and her shots deep and powerful shots coupled with a drop in performance from Jabeur, especially on serve.

The 23-year-old broke Jabeur’s serve twice in the first and fifth games, having survived a lengthy fourth game in which she fended off several breakpoints, to force a decider.

Once again, the Tunisian found herself trailing by an early break in the third set and was visibly upset when she squandered a 0-40 sixth-game advantage.

And she paid for it as she dropped her next service game and 23-year-old Rybakina went on to become the youngest Wimbledon champion in 11 years.

“I did not expect to be in the second week of a Grand Slam at Wimbledon. To be a winner is just amazing. I don’t have the words to say how happy I am,” she added. EFE

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