"The sprinkling rain at Melbourne Park meant the roof stayed closed on centre court for the Australian Open women's final, turning Rod Laver Arena into a concert hall charged with the music of tennis. But there was one noise that wasn't quite right. In the sacred moments before each player's serving motion, the crowd generally obeyed the protocol demanding silence. However, a single bird perched somewhere high in the rafters was less compliant."
"The quaint, sweet birdsong was agreeable and familiar, as was the contest below. Featuring two players at the summit of tennis the world No 1 in Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, soon-to-be No 3, whatever the outcome who knew each other intimately. Their power games are well matched and their sustained success has brought them together often. They had duelled more times than either had faced anyone else on tour, 14 times all up."
"The most important of those was the final at Melbourne Park three years ago, marking the major breakthrough for Sabalenka, and after giving up a one-set lead one of several setbacks suffered by Rybakina in recent years that have became fodder for tour whispers. But as the Rod Laver Arena wildlife kept chirping, those whispers were hushed. The Kazakshtani secured the first set and was testing Sabalenka in a fierce second."
Rain kept the roof closed over Rod Laver Arena, creating a subdued indoor atmosphere during the Australian Open women's final. A lone bird, later identified as a myna, chirped from the rafters throughout the match and intermittently interrupted the crowd's enforced serving silence. World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka faced Elena Rybakina, soon-to-be No 3, in a rivalry marked by power games and frequent meetings. Rybakina won the first set and pressured Sabalenka in the second, but then crumbled, handing the second set to Sabalenka and failing to win a point on serve at 4-5.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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