"It was incredible, it was bonkers, it was everything": Superlatives galore for Laura Robson after record breaking Blinkova-Rybakina tie-break
ATPThursday, 18 January 2024 at 21:00
Anna
Blinkova took center stage on the fifth day of the 2024 Australian Open after
an incredible triumph over Elena Rybakina with a score of 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(20) in
2 hours and 46 minutes. The Russian secured the biggest victory of her career
by defeating the world No. 4 and reached the third round of the AO for the
first time.
The match
witnessed an astonishing record for the longest Tie-break in the history of
Grand Slam events, encompassing both men's and women's competitions, with a
total of 42 points. The final tie-break lasted 30 minutes and concluded when
Rybakina missed a cross-court backhand. Blinkova squandered 9 match points,
while Rybakina missed 6, before the ultimate outcome.
Praise from Laura Robson
Former
British No. 1, Laura Robson, shared her thoughts on the incredible match on
Eurosport, lavishing praise on the Russian world No. 57 for securing the
victory against Rybakina. "It was incredible, it was bonkers, it was
everything," Robson exclaimed after witnessing the longest-ever Grand Slam
women’s singles tie-break at the Australian Open.
Reflecting
on the intense moments, she added, "The amount of stress I felt in the
last half an hour in that whole tie-break. At that point, you just wanted her
to get over the line. Having so many chances after displaying such resilience,
such bravery with her tennis. What it meant to her, wow. It almost gives me
chills to have that moment to look back on whenever she’s done and dusted.
Hopefully, in many, many years. I can’t believe the match I’ve just seen."
Blinkova's Emotion:
The Russian
player appeared deeply moved after her epic victory and shared her sentiments
in the on-court interview, highlighting the importance of her determination to
seize opportunities and the support from the crowd in securing the win. "I
only looked [as cool as a cucumber]. It took me a lot of work. I work [on my
composure] every day, managing the emotions," she expressed.
Despite
facing a rollercoaster of emotions during the match, Blinkova explained,
"I had a lot of emotions. I was leading in the second set, third set, and
I was losing all these opportunities, but I was telling myself that I still
want to win, I still can win." She added, "I forgot about the
opportunities I missed and I focused on the new opportunities I had to still
win the match."
With her
return to the top 50 secured, Blinkova now has the chance to reach the fourth
round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career. Her next opponent will
be the 26th-seeded Italian, Jasmine Paoline, who comes into the matchup with
victories over Diana Shnaider and Tatjana Maria.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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