Happy Tuesday! Elena Rybakina and Carlos Alcaraz etched their names into Australian Open history, both defeating multiple-time Melbourne champions Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic to claim their maiden titles down-under.

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Carlos Alcaraz captured his first Australian Open title, defeating Novak Djokovic in 4 sets on Sunday and silencing doubters who questioned whether he could win without longtime coach Juan Carlos Ferrero. The Spanish star lost the opening set badly but flipped the script in the second, imposing his athleticism on the 38-year-old Djokovic, who had nothing left after his grueling five-set semifinal win over Jannik Sinner. Alcaraz's path to glory included a nerve-shredding five-setter against Alexander Zverev in the semis, where he broke serve down 3-5 in the final set when it mattered most.

At 22 years, 8 months and 28 days old, Alcaraz shattered Rafael Nadal's record to become the youngest man ever to complete the career Grand Slam. He's now won seven majors total, tying John McEnroe and Mats Wilander, and joined an exclusive nine-man club that includes Djokovic, Nadal, Roger Federer, Andre Agassi, Roy Emerson, Rod Laver, Don Budge and Fred Perry. The kid from El Palmar has conquered every surface, mastered every condition, and answered every question thrown his way.

Elena Rybakina stormed from behind to capture her first Australian Open title, defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in Saturday's final to avenge her 2023 loss to the Belarusian at the same stage. The fifth seed looked dead and buried when Sabalenka raced to a 3-0 lead in the deciding set, but Rybakina responded with a stunning five-game run to wrestle back control. Her serve proved the difference throughout the tournament, with the 26-year-old winning 75 percent of break points faced in the final and converting clutch moments with devastating first serves that left Sabalenka helpless.

The Australian Open title caps a remarkable resurgence for Rybakina, who has now won 10 consecutive matches against top-10 opponents and compiled a tour-best 37-6 record since last year's Wimbledon. Her triumph in Melbourne follows her WTA Finals championship in Riyadh, where she also defeated Sabalenka in straight sets, establishing herself as the sport's most dangerous player over the past six months. The victory elevates Rybakina to world number three and secures her second career Grand Slam, four years after claiming Wimbledon 2022. "Everyone thought maybe I will never be again in the final or even get a trophy, but it's all about the work," Rybakina said, reflecting on doubters she silenced with her return to tennis's summit.

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