Elena Rybakina is once again a Grand Slam champion — and this time, it happens in Melbourne.
In a final worthy of its billing, the world No. 5 defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6–4, 4–6, 6–4 in the Australian Open women’s final, sealing the biggest hard-court title of her career with an ace under deafening noise inside Rod Laver Arena. Three years after falling just short in the 2023 final, Rybakina completed her return with composure, nerve and steel, lifting her second Grand Slam trophy.
This was not simply a rematch. It was a referendum on growth, resilience, and the fine margins that separate dominance from survival at the very top of the women’s game.
Rybakina Sets the Tone Early
From the opening games, the contrast was clear. Sabalenka brought force and urgency; Rybakina brought clarity.
The Kazakh struck first, breaking early with a flurry of clean returns after falling behind 0–30, immediately placing pressure on Sabalenka’s second serve. The rallies were short, sharp and unforgiving — and Rybakina was consistently first to strike.
At 3–1, then 4–2, she looked utterly untroubled, serving with width and pace, her backhand biting through the court. Sabalenka briefly stemmed the flow, narrowing the gap to 4–3, but Rybakina never blinked. At 5–3, she absorbed pressure, erased break points with two big serves, and served out the set 6–4 with authority.
It was the first set Sabalenka had dropped all tournament — and it felt earned.
Sabalenka vs Rybakina – Set One Stats
| Statistic | Sabalenka | Rybakina |
|---|---|---|
| Dominance Ratio | 0.86 | 1.17 |
| Winners | 13 | 9 |
| Unforced Errors | 7 | 8 |
| Serve Rating | 282 | 295 |
| Aces | 4 | 2 |
| Double Faults | 0 | 1 |
| 1st Serve % | 68% (19/28) | 48% (14/29) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 74% (14/19) | 79% (11/14) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 56% (5/9) | 67% (10/15) |
| Break Points Saved | 50% (1/2) | 100% (2/2) |
| Service Games Won | 80% (4/5) | 100% (5/5) |
| Ace % | 14.3% | 6.9% |
| Double Fault % | 0% | 3.4% |
| Return Rating | 54 | 140 |
| 1st Return Points Won | 21% (3/14) | 26% (5/19) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 33% (5/15) | 44% (4/9) |
| Break Points Won | 0% (0/2) | 50% (1/2) |
| Return Games Won | 0% (0/5) | 20% (1/5) |
| Pressure Points Won | 25% (1/4) | 75% (3/4) |
| Service Points Won | 68% (19/28) | 72% (21/29) |
| Return Points Won | 28% (8/29) | 32% (9/28) |
| Net Points Won | 100% (1/1) | 100% (3/3) |
| Total Points Won | 47% (27/57) | 53% (30/57) |
| Match Points Saved | 0 | 0 |
| Max Points In A Row | 4 | 6 |
| Service Games | 80% (4/5) | 100% (5/5) |
| Return Games | 0% (0/5) | 20% (1/5) |
| Total Games | 40% (4/10) | 60% (6/10) |
| Max Games In A Row | 1 | 2 |
| Set 1 Duration | 0h38m | |
Second Set: Sabalenka Strikes Back
Champions respond. Sabalenka did exactly that.
After holding to open the second set, the world No. 1 elevated her serving to near-perfection. She won 18 of 19 service points, dictated relentlessly with her forehand, and began stepping inside the baseline with renewed conviction.
Rybakina, for the first time, wavered. Her first-serve percentage dipped, and the Belarusian sensed blood. At 4–4, Sabalenka pressed, forcing errors, then pounced with a decisive break. Three set points followed soon after.
When the second set ended 6–4 Sabalenka, the momentum had fully shifted. The final had become what everyone hoped it would be: a duel.
Sabalenka vs Rybakina – Set Two Stats
| Statistic | Sabalenka | Rybakina |
|---|---|---|
| Dominance Ratio | 1.47 | 0.68 |
| Winners | 9 | 10 |
| Unforced Errors | 8 | 8 |
| Serve Rating | 290 | 254 |
| Aces | 1 | 2 |
| Double Faults | 2 | 2 |
| 1st Serve % | 66% (19/29) | 65% (24/37) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 95% (18/19) | 71% (17/24) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 30% (3/10) | 38% (5/13) |
| Break Points Saved | – (0/0) | 75% (3/4) |
| Service Games Won | 100% (5/5) | 80% (4/5) |
| Ace % | 3.4% | 5.4% |
| Double Fault % | 6.9% | 5.4% |
| Return Rating | 136 | 75 |
| 1st Return Points Won | 29% (7/24) | 5% (1/19) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 62% (8/13) | 70% (7/10) |
| Break Points Won | 25% (1/4) | – (0/0) |
| Return Games Won | 20% (1/5) | 0% (0/5) |
| Pressure Points Won | 25% (1/4) | 75% (3/4) |
| Service Points Won | 72% (21/29) | 59% (22/37) |
| Return Points Won | 41% (15/37) | 28% (8/29) |
| Net Points Won | 80% (4/5) | 57% (4/7) |
| Total Points Won | 55% (36/66) | 45% (30/66) |
| Match Points Saved | 0 | 0 |
| Max Points In A Row | 8 | 5 |
| Service Games | 100% (5/5) | 80% (4/5) |
| Return Games | 20% (1/5) | 0% (0/5) |
| Total Games | 60% (6/10) | 40% (4/10) |
| Max Games In A Row | 2 | 1 |
| Set Duration | 0h50m | |
Deciding Set: Collapse, Calm, and a Champion’s Nerve
The third set began ominously for Rybakina.
Sabalenka surged ahead 3–0, serving with venom and feeding off the crowd’s energy. It felt, briefly, like the match was slipping away. Rybakina’s body language tightened. Her second serve invited pressure. The Belarusian looked in control.
Then everything changed.
From 0–3 down, Rybakina found her spine. She broke back with fearless returning, then held through tension, the arena willing the comeback into existence. Sabalenka, suddenly uneasy, began to leak errors.
Four games in a row swung the match entirely — from 0–3 to 4–3 Rybakina.
What followed was chaos. Sabalenka tried to break back. Rybakina responded. The score yo-yoed, nerves shredded on both sides. At 5–3, Rybakina stood two points from glory — but Sabalenka refused to go quietly, clawing back one final game.
Now, it was on Rybakina’s racket.
Championship Game: Ice Under Pressure
Serving for the title, Rybakina faced immediate resistance — 0–15, then 30–30. Sabalenka struck a return winner. The arena roared.
But when it mattered most, Rybakina leaned into who she is.
A brave forehand winner.
Another fearless strike.
Match point.
And then — an ace.
No hesitation. No drama. Just silence, then eruption.
Elena Rybakina dropped her head and raised her arms. The wait was over.
She won the Aussie Title 2026: 6-4, 4-6 6-4.
Sabalenka vs Rybakina – Set Three Stats
| Statistic | Sabalenka | Rybakina |
|---|---|---|
| Dominance Ratio | 0.91 | 1.10 |
| Winners | 13 | 9 |
| Unforced Errors | 10 | 8 |
| Serve Rating | 222 | 251 |
| Aces | 0 | 2 |
| Double Faults | 0 | 0 |
| 1st Serve % | 52% (15/29) | 50% (16/32) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 53% (8/15) | 81% (13/16) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 57% (8/14) | 38% (6/16) |
| Break Points Saved | 50% (2/4) | 50% (1/2) |
| Service Games Won | 60% (3/5) | 80% (4/5) |
| Ace % | 0% | 6.3% |
| Double Fault % | 0% | 0% |
| Return Rating | 152 | 180 |
| 1st Return Points Won | 19% (3/16) | 47% (7/15) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 63% (10/16) | 43% (6/14) |
| Break Points Won | 50% (1/2) | 50% (2/4) |
| Return Games Won | 20% (1/5) | 40% (2/5) |
| Pressure Points Won | 50% (3/6) | 50% (3/6) |
| Service Points Won | 55% (16/29) | 59% (19/32) |
| Return Points Won | 41% (13/32) | 45% (13/29) |
| Net Points Won | 75% (3/4) | 60% (3/5) |
| Total Points Won | 48% (29/61) | 52% (32/61) |
| Match Points Saved | 0 | 0 |
| Max Points In A Row | 3 | 4 |
| Service Games | 60% (3/5) | 80% (4/5) |
| Return Games | 20% (1/5) | 40% (2/5) |
| Total Games | 40% (4/10) | 60% (6/10) |
| Max Games In A Row | 3 | 5 |
| Set 3 Duration | 0h51m | |
Match Statistics Snapshot
Sabalenka vs. Rybakina – Australian Open Final
- Aces: 5 | 6
- Double Faults: 2 | 3
- 1st Serve In: 62% | 55%
- 1st Serve Points Won: 75% | 76%
- 2nd Serve Points Won: 48% | 48%
- Service Games Won: 80% | 87%
- Break Points Saved: 50% | 75%
Margins were razor-thin. The difference was nerve.
History Rewritten
This was Rybakina’s third Grand Slam final, her second major title, and her 19th win in her last 20 matches. It was also redemption — against the same opponent, on the same court, where she had once let the trophy slip.
Three years later, she didn’t.
She returns to world No. 3, stands atop Melbourne Park, and heads into the 2026 season as the woman everyone must now reckon with.
In Melbourne, the rivalry resumed.
And this time, history bent her way.
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