Rybakina bends, but doesn't break against Pliskova

Indeed, it is only Day 3 of AO 2024, but the tiebreak will go down as one of the best of the fortnight.

Pliskova is a former world No.1 and two-time Grand Slam finalist, yet her ranking has slipped to 38 and the Czech had never bagged a set against Rybakina in their three previous duels.

She thus realistically needed the first set more than her in-form Kazakh opponent.

And when the 31-year-old saved three set points at 5-6 on serve – one came via an ace while Rybakina missed a backhand down the line by a whisker – the momentum seemed to swing in her favour.

That came after Pliskova started the contest by winning the first eight points to lead 2-0, thanks to six unforced errors from Rybakina. Rybakina later responded by claiming nine straight points as things got back on serve.