Anna Blinkova came out on top in a marathon tiebreaker in the final set of her Australian Open second-round clash with Elena Rybakina. The pair broke a Grand Slam singles record for the longest-ever tiebreaker, which also ranks joint-third in tennis history for all professional events.
Bublinka prevailed 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(22-20) and fell to the floor in exhaustion, having saved six match points and needed ten match points herself in the thrilling battle.
World No. 57 Bublinka came out on top against the third seed in what she described as the “best day” of her life, keeping her composure despite immense fatigue setting in.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga held the previous Australian Open tiebreak record when he beat Andy Roddick 20-18 in 2007. That was only ever matched at a Grand Slam once before, when Bjorn Borg edged Premjit Lall at Wimbledon in 1973.
Blinkova and Rybakina’s feat has been confirmed by the ITF, with the Russian victor penning a message to those watching by writing “Never give up” on the camera lens during her celebrations.
Speaking to Eurosport after pushing Rybakina to the maximum, Blinkova reflected: “In one word I would say solid. Because this is the only thing I was telling myself through the whole match, I just tried to put all the balls on the court. I tried to find the balance between being aggressive and being solid.”
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