Anna Blinkova defeated Elena Rybakina in a thrilling match at the 2024 Australian Open, winning 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(22-20). Blinkova saved six match points and needed ten of her own to secure the victory. The final set tiebreak, which lasted 42 points, is the longest in Grand Slam history. Rybakina had a chance to go up 5-2 in the decider but was unable to convert, allowing Blinkova to eventually seal the win. The upset marks a significant achievement for Blinkova, who progresses to the third round after a grueling battle against the third seed and 2023 finalist. The match has garnered attention for its historic tiebreak and the remarkable resilience displayed by both players.
“If I have to say one word, I would say ‘courage,’” Anna Blinkova said of how she survived a 42-point tiebreak. Thursday's #AusOpen was a showcase for the 10-point match tiebreak. It culminated with Blinkova and Rybakina's half-hour cliff-hanger. https://t.co/vZxKLgXW1l
Unseeded Russian Anna Blinkova shocked last year's runner-up Elena Rybakina at the Australian Open, winning the longest tie-break in Grand Slam history as world number one Iga Swiatek came back from the brink. https://t.co/uxm4ZjovLV by @JohnMWeaver1 #AFPSports #AusOpen https://t.co/sdGtf6K9iR
Elena Rybakina was eliminated from the Australian Open by Anna Blinkova after a record-setting tiebreaker https://t.co/UvysFoEjQi
The #AusOpen has been a showcase for the high-pressure genius of the 10-point tiebreaker. It culminated, writes @SteveTignor, with Anna Blinkova beating Elena Rybakina in a 42-point spine-tingler. https://t.co/lH9hho38Ho
Anna Blinkova stuns Elena Rybakina after a record Australian Open tiebreaker that last 42 points. https://t.co/KUgJ516n0r
Anna Blinkova ousts Elena Rybakina in history-making Australian Open tie-break https://t.co/v0OWUJlUbe
The 22-20 tiebreak between Elena Rybakina and Anna Blinkova is the longest tiebreak in a singles match in Grand Slam history 🤯
Fantastic perspective from Anna Blinkova, who saved six match points before converting on her 10th to defeat No.3 Elena Rybakina tonight. #AusOpen https://t.co/vOWQj35xYV
Anna Blinkova and Elena Rybakina play epic, record-setting 42-point tiebreaker at the Australian Open https://t.co/ODdFN29nKk https://t.co/St32roP0R1
World No 3 Elena Rybakina lost an epic second-round match to Anna Blinkova after the LONGEST deciding tie-break in Grand Slam history! 🎾😲 https://t.co/90iQ4IKCof
Anna Blinkova dumps Rybakina out of Australian Open after historic tie-break https://t.co/JF0PdU5god
No time for blinking! Anna Blinkova emerged victorious over Elena Rybakina by winning the longest singles tie-break in Grand Slam history, 7-6 (22-20). 😎 Blinkova saved *SIX* match points and needed *TEN* of her own to close out last year's #AusOpen finalist. 😲😲😲
The 22-20 tiebreak between Elena Rybakina and Anna Blinkova is the longest tiebreak in a singles match in Grand Slam history
WOW. Just wow. Anna Blinkova knocks out World No. 3 and 2023 Australian Open finalist Elena Rybakina in a thrilling fashion 🤩 https://t.co/hzaTX9Ojqk
WOW. Just wow. Anna Blinkova knocks out World No. 3 and 2023 Australian Open finalist Elena Rybakina in a thrilling fashion https://t.co/bUgpAQbPE6
Slight asterisk because it's a ten-point tiebreak, which is a newer development than the seven-point tiebreaks, but Blinkova-Rybakina set a record tonight. #AusOpen https://t.co/Ply0kY5KvC
After squandering so many opportunities, Blinkova finally seals the win 22-20 in the final set tiebreak to upset last year's runner-up and No.3 seed Elena Rybakina. Blinkova: I had so many match points (crowd laughs)
At 42 points, the final-set tiebreak between Anna Blinkova and Elena Rybakina (won 22-20 by Blinkova) is the longest tiebreak in a singles match in Grand Slam history.
THAT THIRD SET TIEBREAK 🤯 Anna Blinkova knocks out the No.3 seed Rybakina and takes her place in Round 3! Final tiebreak score: 22-20 #AusOpen https://t.co/eSLLPENvUf
Anna Blinkova d. Elena Rybakina 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(24-22) 📸 via Getty Images https://t.co/IJYSrJuFsF
EPIC! Anna Blinkova upsets 2023 runner up and #3 Elena Rybakina 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(22-20) to reach the 3rd round at the #AusOpen. Saved 6 MPs. Needed NINE match points! Wow. https://t.co/DQ9s5p2bsR
THIS. IS. CRAZY. Anna Blinkova knocks out last year's runner-up Elena Rybakina after an outstanding super tie-break 6-4 4-6 7-6 (20) WOWOWOW https://t.co/OMtYXdlT9X
Down goes the No. 3 seed! 🍿 Anna Blinkova is through to the third round of the #AusOpen after defeating Elena Rybakina 22-20 in the third set tiebreak 🤯 https://t.co/8PHjDgLadY
EPIC! Anna Blinkova upsets 2023 runner up and #3 Elena Rybakina 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(22-20) to reach the 3rd round at the #AusOpen. Saved 6 MPs. Needed TEN match points! Wow. https://t.co/2KPuBtNFjP
Last year's #AusOpen finalist Elena Rybakina hanging on by a thread, saving match points against #57 Anna Blinkova to force a third set tiebreak.
Blinkova had a break point to go up 5-2 in the decider against Rybakina, saw a second serve, and backed off the aggressive returning position she's sat in all match to great effect. Rybakina has just levelled at 4-4. Not unrelatedly.
Elena Rybakina converts both of her break point chances in set 2 to force a decider! 4-6, 6-4 against Blinkova. #AusOpen https://t.co/cKHTjhaxiJ
Anna Blinkova grabs set one 6-4 over 2023 #AusOpen finalist Elena Rybakina! https://t.co/53rRRFWfaE
Facing 3 set points, Rybakina knows how to #staycoolunderpressure ❄ @bondisands • #bondisands #AusOpen2024 • @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis https://t.co/pEgY17qOj0
The Ice Queen 👑 Elena Rybakina keeps her cool to advance to the second round ❄️ 👇 https://t.co/UMBbdiox3q
How To Pass A First-Round Test By: Elena Rybakina On her #AusOpen performance against Karolina Pliskova, where the No. 3 seed calmly saved three set points before taking control. 🔥 https://t.co/niG30HTL2o
Rybakina wins today's clash vs Pliskova Last year's runner-up defeats Karolina Pliskova in quite a tough match 7-6 6-4 Faces Anna Blinkova on R2 https://t.co/IU4CqyJRps
First test: Passed ✔️ Last year’s runner-up Elena Rybakina comes through a tightly-contested #AusOpen opener vs Pliskova, 7-6(6) 6-4! https://t.co/AnqBjp5shW
All business 💼 No.3 seed Elena Rybakina moves through Pliskova 7-6(6) 6-4 to advance in Melbourne ⏩ #AusOpen • #AO2024 https://t.co/UagwWsn36s
Elena Rybakina maintains her perfect record against Karolina Pliskova: Four meetings, four wins in straight sets. 7-6(6), 6-4. Last year's runner-up now 8-1 in 2024.
World #3 and 2023 runner up Elena Rybakina passes a very tough first round test at the #AusOpen, beating former #1 Karolina Pliskova 7-6(6), 6-4. Saved three set points in the first set tiebreak. https://t.co/y8pCzgmeHa