Rybakina edges Sabalenka in thrilling Australian Open 2026 final

Photo: Ausopen.com

Kazakhstan’s top-ranked player Elena Rybakina defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in a dramatic final at the Australian Open 2026 with 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

Rybakina started the final without hesitation and secured a break in the opening game. Sabalenka got on the scoreboard only when she was trailing 0-2. In powerful, fast-paced rallies, the Kazakhstani player was initially the most accurate. The Belarusian struggled for a long time to find an answer to her opponent’s near-flawless shots from the baseline. No matter how hard Sabalenka tried to earn a break back, Rybakina did not allow it, taking the set 6-4.

Rod Laver Arena again saw high-class tennis in the second set of the final. The world No. 1 and the world No. 3 — with Rybakina set to rise from fifth to third in the rankings on Feb. 2 — were both at their best, holding serve throughout the set. However, at 4-4, Sabalenka came out on top in the key rallies. Mirroring the first set scoreline with a 6-4 win, the Belarusian forced the final into a decisive set.

In the third set, it seemed Sabalenka had completely taken the lead — she went up 3-0 with a break in the first game. However, Rybakina regrouped and turned the momentum, coming back to win five games in a row to lead 5-3, and later took the match 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

Taking revenge on Sabalenka for her defeat in AO 2023, Rybakina claimed her second Grand Slam title, following Wimbledon 2022.

Total prize money for the Australian Open 2026 is AUD $111.5 million (roughly $77.6 million), up about 16% from last year.