Alina Korneeva clinched the Australian Open 2023 girls' singles title on Saturday with an emotional, hard-fought 6-7(2) 6-4 7-5 win over seventh seed Mirra Andreeva.
MORE: All the scores from Day 13 at AO 2023
In humid conditions, the ninth-seeded Korneeva claimed a gruelling three hour and 18-minute victory to cap off a dream Grand Slam debut for the 15-year-old.
The tug-of-war encounter, featuring an average rally length of 7.2 strokes, was perhaps to be expected. The duo are familiar with each other's playing styles: as doubles partners this fortnight, the second seeds reached the semifinals before falling to fourth seeds Hayu Kinoshita and Sara Saito.
Playing with strapping on her left calf, world No.15 Korneeva gained an early break, only to immediately concede her own serve as Andreeva's level lifted. The duo exchanged breaks once more before world No. 14 Andreeva dominated in the decisive tiebreak, helped by her powerful first serve that clocked in at 149.2km/h on average, far outpacing Korneeva's at 120.5km/h.
In the second, Korneeva drew first blood to edge ahead to a 4-3 lead. But 15-year-old Andreeva, who made her WTA Tour level debut in October, put quickly broke back to love. Steady pressure from Korneeva and a stunning backhand crosscourt winner earned the teen a crucial break, which she consolidated to snare the second set in 70 minutes.
Korneeva made a fast start in the third, racing to a double break for a 4-1 lead before her determined foe grabbed three games in a row. Unperturbed, Korneeva tried once again to stamp her authority on the match, breaking for a 5-4 lead.
MORE: Korneeva v Andreeva match statistics
Serving for the title, the right-hander squandered two championship points with a long forehand and a double fault before Andreeva capitalised on a fifth break point, only to be broken herself.
Despite the nerves and the occasion, with a second chance to serve for the title, Korneeva steadied. On her third championship point, as Andreeva dumped a backhand into the net, the ninth seed dropped her racquet to the court in relief. Incredibly, just one point was the difference in the tight tussle: Korneeva won 139 to Andreeva's 138.
Korneeva hugged the tearful Andreeva at the net and had comforting words for her peer.
"I want to congratulate Mirra with this amazing week, amazing battle and it's not our last battle, we will have a lot of good matches," said Korneeva, who later said the duo are best friends off-court. "I love her so much. She's my girl … my person that I can say everything to."
The teen said she considered withdrawing mid-battle because pain in both her stomach and leg hindered her ability to play her best tennis. "I couldn't run a lot, but mentally it was [a] good match," said Korneeva, whose hindered movement contributed to a combined tally of 139 unforced errors.
Later on Rod Laver Arena, 17-year-old Alexander Blockx became the first Belgian to hoist the AO 2023 boys' singles crown with a thrilling 6-1 2-6 7-6 [11-9] win over American Learner Tien in two hours and nine minutes.
MORE: Blockx v Tien match statistics
The three-set slugfest earned Blockx the first Grand Slam title of his career in only his fourth attempt, and on his first trip to Melbourne.
The duo traded blows, breaks and momentum to split the opening sets before settling into the third. Tien created four break point chances but was unable to capitalise on them, and steady defence from both sides of the net ensured the battle would be decided by a match-tiebreak. On his third championship point, Blockx pounded an unreturnable serve down the tee, then leapt to the sky in ecstasy.
"I want congratulate Learner for an incredible final, you played amazing. It was one of my hardest battles of my life," said Blockx, who ascended to the junior No.1 ranking with the victory. "I was well-prepared for this tournament, I practiced really hard … it turned out well," he added.
The Belgian put an impeccable 93 per cent of returns in play and struck 44 winners including 10 aces during the bout, compared to Tien at 80 per cent and 31 winners, respectively.
"In the second set, I couldn't do anything because he's an unbelievable player. He has one of the best touches I've ever seen … he controls the ball so well," Blockx said, complementing Tien.
"If you don't put pressure on him … he will just blow you away."
Only two other Belgians have won Grand Slam boys' singles titles previously: Jacques Brichant at Roland Garros in 1947 and Kimmer Coppejans, at Roland Garros in 2012.
"It's still juniors, it's not the men's," said a smiling Blockx.
"I just have to keep working hard, and hopefully one day I can do the same with the real guys," added the powerful right-hander, sharing that he's been trying to emulate the forehand of Carlos Alcaraz, his favourite ATP player, and Dominic Thiem, who was his favourite before the Spaniard burst onto the scene.