Elena Rybakina recovered from behind to beat Ons Jabeur in three sets in yesterday’s Wimbledon women’s singles final and claim her first grand slam title.
In a groundbreaking contest on Centre Court between two females contesting their maiden major finals – an Open Era first – it was number 17 seed, Rybakina who held her nerve.
She prevailed 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 in two hours and 52 minutes against the in-form Jabeur, who had won 11 matches in a row, to win just her third career title – and a first since 2020.
The 23-year-old, who had lost her past four finals, becomes the youngest female to win the singles title at the All England Club since Petra Kvitova in 2011.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic told fans to ‘expect fireworks’ when he faces Nick Kyrgios in his record-breaking 32nd Grand Slam final at Wimbledon on Sunday.
Djokovic surpassed Roger Federer (31) for the most major finals among male players with his four-set victory over Cam Norrie in Friday’s semi-final.
Their third encounter could be one high on emotion. Djokovic appeared to blow kisses towards a heckler in the Centre Court crowd after defeating Norrie
Despite passing up two break points in the fifth game, Jabeur looked composed and again broke her opponent in the ninth game to grab a huge foothold in the match.