Australian Open stars smash Grand Slam tiebreak record with final set
Anna Blinkova and Elena Rybakina made Grand Slam history as they broke the singles record for the longest-ever tiebreaker during their Australian Open second-round clash. Blinkova came out on top in the marathon contest, which also ranks joint-third in tennis history for all professional events.
Blinkova 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 to claim victory in the thrilling battle.
World No. 57 Blinkova 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 during the 93-minute-long final set.
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.
Join us on WhatsAppOur community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time.
- Support fearless journalism
- Read The Daily Express online, advert free
- Get super-fast page loading
The longest-ever professional tiebreak came in January 2013, at the Men's Futures tournament qualifications in Florida, where Benjamin Balleret defeated Guillaume Couillard in a 70-point tiebreak 7–6(36–34), 6–1.
Blinkova and Rybakina's record 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.
