MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Elena Rybakina secured her second Grand Slam title on Saturday, defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a tense Australian Open final. The Kazakh fifth seed won 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 at Rod Laver Arena after 2 hours and 18 minutes.
The victory was a reversal of the 2023 final, where Sabalenka had defeated Rybakina. For the 26-year-old, this Melbourne triumph adds to her 2022 Wimbledon title.
Rybakina started the match decisively, breaking Sabalenka’s serve immediately and taking the first set in 37 minutes. It was the first set Sabalenka had lost in the entire 2026 tournament. Sabalenka fought back in a tightly contested second set, eventually leveling the match.
Momentum appeared to be with Sabalenka as she quickly established a 3-0 lead in the deciding set. However, Rybakina displayed exceptional composure, winning five consecutive games to turn the match around. She sealed the championship with her sixth ace.
“I always believed that I can come back to the level I was,” Rybakina said after the match, admitting that despite her calm appearance, “inside was a lot of emotions.”
Sabalenka, the champion in Melbourne in 2023 and 2024, was visibly disappointed. “I was really upset with myself… because once again I had opportunities,” she stated. “Today she was a better player.”
Elena Rybakina has won the Australian Open after a dramatic three-set final against world number one Aryna Sabalenka. The Kazakh player mounted a stunning comeback in the final set to claim her second major title. The victory in Melbourne is a significant moment for Rybakina, who adds this to her 2022 Wimbledon championship.
The Rybakina Australian Open final was a rematch of the 2023 decider, with Rybakina turning the tables this time. After dropping the second set and going down 0-3 in the third, she rallied to win, showcasing her resilience. Sabalenka expressed disappointment but credited Rybakina as the better player on the day.
According to multiple media sources.
