Three years ago, as Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina served up an instant classic of an Australian Open final, it was difficult to imagine how two players who had produced such a dramatic contest of high-level ball-striking would not simply go on to dominate the hunt for grand slam titles.
Instead, it proved to be a breakthrough for the champion, in Sabalenka, and a turning point in the opposite direction for the beaten finalist, in Rybakina. While Sabalenka became a four-time grand slam champion, reaching seven consecutive finals at the hard-court events, Rybakina faded from the picture.
