Elena Rybakina delivered a commanding display to overcome world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a gripping three-set final, securing the women’s singles title at the 2026 Australian Open at Rod Laver Arena.
The fifth-seeded Kazakh edged past the Belarusian powerhouse 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to lift her second Grand Slam trophy and her maiden Australian Open title, adding to her Wimbledon triumph in 2022.
Rybakina set the tone early, breaking serve in the opening game and wrapping up the first set in just 37 minutes. Her powerful serving proved decisive, particularly at 4-3 when she saved two break points—one with an ace and another with a blistering 182km/h serve out wide.
After quietly celebrating the opening set, Rybakina was pushed hard as Sabalenka raised her intensity in the second, claiming it 6-4 to force a decider and maintain her long-standing record of avoiding straight-sets defeats at Grand Slams since the 2020 US Open.
The final set lived up to its billing, featuring relentless baseline exchanges and crisp net play. Rybakina eventually gained the upper hand, sealing the match 6-4 after escaping an early 0-40 deficit and finishing in emphatic fashion with an ace on championship point.
“It was a real battle,” Rybakina said afterwards. “I’m very proud. It truly is a Happy Slam.”
With the victory, the 26-year-old joined an exclusive Open Era group—alongside Amélie Mauresmo, Lindsay Davenport, Maria Sharapova, Martina Hingis and Venus Williams—who won their first two Grand Slam titles on different surfaces. She also became the first woman since Naomi Osaka in 2019 to win the Australian Open after defeating three top-10 opponents in one tournament.
Rybakina received the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup from former champion Jennifer Capriati and praised her team, expressing optimism for the season ahead. She also shared warm words with Sabalenka at the net, hoping they would contest many more finals together.
Sabalenka returned the gesture, congratulating Rybakina on her outstanding run and expressing hope of reclaiming the title in future editions.
The final was made even more notable as both players reached the championship match without dropping a set—a rarity at Melbourne Park not seen since 2004. Played under a closed roof, the contest lasted 2 hours and 18 minutes, with Rybakina hitting 28 winners to seal a memorable triumph.