Russia’s Anna Blinkova (L) greets Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina (R) after victory in their women’s singles match on day five of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 18, 2024. (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE — – — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE —
Unseeded Russian Anna Blinkova dumped world number three Elena Rybakina out of the Australian Open on Thursday, squandering multiple match points in a final-set tie-break lasting more than 31 minutes before sealing victory.
Blinkova, ranked 57, won the first set 6-4 and last year’s finalist Rybakina hit back to win the second by the same scoreline, but the match hinged on a breathtaking tie-break that Blinkova won 22-20.
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