Elena Rybakina claimed a dramatic Australian Open title on Saturday, defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a gripping three-set final to secure the second Grand Slam crown of her career.
The fifth-seeded Kazakh prevailed 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in a pulsating contest lasting two hours and 18 minutes at Rod Laver Arena, avenging her loss to Sabalenka in the 2023 final. The victory added to Rybakina’s Wimbledon triumph in 2022.
Rybakina, 26, who was born in Moscow and represents Kazakhstan, showed composure under pressure to outlast the powerful Belarusian in a match that showcased two of the hardest hitters in women’s tennis.
With the roof closed due to light drizzle, Rybakina made a fast start, breaking serve early and racing to a 2-0 lead. She survived two break points at 4-3, firing an ace to escape danger, before closing out the opening set in 37 minutes when Sabalenka sent a shot long. It marked the first set Sabalenka had dropped at the tournament in 2026.
The second set was tightly contested, with Rybakina saving three break points in a lengthy second game. Sabalenka eventually seized her opportunity at 5-4, converting her first set point on Rybakina’s serve to level the match and force a decider.
Carrying that momentum into the third set, Sabalenka broke early and surged to a 3-0 lead as Rybakina briefly appeared unsettled. However, the Kazakh regrouped, holding serve and breaking back to restore parity at 3-3.
From there, Rybakina took control, winning four consecutive games to break for 4-3 and then hold serve, moving within sight of the title. She closed out the match to seal a memorable victory.
The final was the 15th meeting between the two rivals, with Sabalenka having won eight of their previous encounters. Despite entering as favourite, Sabalenka suffered further disappointment in a major final, adding to losses in the French Open and Australian Open deciders, despite winning the US Open last year.
Rybakina arrived in Melbourne in strong form, having also defeated Sabalenka at the season-ending WTA Finals. Her path to the title included victories over second seed Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals and sixth seed Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals.
Rybakina switched allegiance to Kazakhstan in 2018 at the age of 19, citing financial reasons, and has since established herself as one of the leading forces on the women’s tour.
