Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 4-6 6-4 to deny the Belarusian her third Australian Open title in four editions and win only her second Major after the 2022 Wimbledon.
Elena Rybakina staved off a spirited fightback from Aryna Sabalenka to win her maiden Australian Open and only the second Grand Slam title of her career. Rybakina defeated Sabalenka 6-4 4-6 6-4 to deny the Belarusian her third victory at Melbourne Park in the last four editions and the fifth Major of her career.
Sabalenka, who made her fourth consecutive appearance in the Australian Open women’s singles final, fought back from a set down to level the scores, and was leading 3-0 in the deciding set on Saturday at the Rod Laver Arena.
ELENA RYBAKINA IS AN AUSTRALIAN OPEN CHAMPION 🏆
The No.5 seed defeats Aryna Sabalenka in an enthralling three-set encounter in Melbourne 👏 @wwos • @espn • @tntsports • @wowowtennis • #AO26 pic.twitter.com/iWAAHFZFHR
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 31, 2026
Rybakina, who had won her only Grand Slam more than three years ago at the 2022 Wimbledon, refused to give up at this stage, and would bounce back in style by reeling off five games in a row. And though broken by Sabalenka while serving for the Championship, she managed to win the following game to seal her triumph in comfortable fashion.
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