Elena Rybakina continues her late 2025 run, following up the 2025 WTA Finals victory over Aryna Sabalenka, by defeating her in the 2026 Australian Open.
Sabalenka is the two-time Australian Open champion and narrowly lost the three-peat to Madison Keys last year. She made her 7th straight appearance in a Grand Slam hardcourt final.
The rematch of the 2023 Australian Open final between Rybakina and Sabalenka again was ultimately decided at 3-3 in the third set. Three years ago, Sabalenka broke Rybakina and sailed to the finish. This time around, Rybakina was down 3-0 in the third set and won six of the last seven games. She got to even 3-3, broke Sabalenka to go 4-3, and never looked back.
ELENA RYBAKINA CAME UP BIG IN THE THIRD SET TO WIN HER FIRST AUSTRALIAN OPEN TITLE‼️ pic.twitter.com/tMp3hrcvPM
— ESPN (@espn) January 31, 2026
Rybakina, who was accused of being stoic after winning her maiden Grand Slam, the 2022 Wimbledon Championships, smiled and hugged her team. She is the first player to win the year-end WTA Finals and follow it up with an Australian Open win two months later since Caroline Wozniacki did it in 2017-2018.
Elena Rybakina has been weighed down by illnesses, injuries, and personal issues for the past few years. She has shed all of those things and come into her best tennis form. Her serve leads the way in her game, powerful and on point. However, she backs it up with an outstanding forehand. She defeated an impressive draw of players including 2026 Australian Open doubles champion Elise Mertens, Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, and Sabalenka to win tennis’s first Grand Slam of the year.
Sabalenka committed many unforced errors in the third set which had a lot to do with Rybakina’s level of play.
Jennifer Capriati Presents Elena Rybakina With The Australian Open Trophy
Long time, no see.
Jennifer Capriati at the #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/V07euxy33P
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 31, 2026
2001 and 2002 Australian Open champion, Jennifer Capriati, who is rarely out at tennis events, presented Rybakina with the trophy, commemorating 25 years since her first win. Rybakina was relaxed, relieved, and laughing with Capriati as she received the trophy.
Sabalenka, who is 4-4 in Grand Slam finals, wore the disappointment of the loss with grace and in a much better mindset than last year when she lost to Keys.
Women’s tennis is deep with talent and unpredictable. On any given day, any of the top ranked players can win. Onward to the Middle Eastern swing, we go.
