Rybakina Stuns World No.1 Sabalenka to Claim Australian Open Crown

Elena Rybakina claimed the Australian Open women's singles title with a gritty three-set win over world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka. The 26-year-old from Kazakhstan won 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in two hours and 18 minutes, earning a first Melbourne crown and a second Grand Slam title.

The result reversed the 2023 final, when Rybakina took the opening set but lost in three. This time, Rybakina struck 28 winners, held firm in key moments, and completed the fortnight having dropped just one set at Melbourne Park, which came in the championship match.

Australian Open women's singles final 2026: decisive third-set swings

The deciding set brought the most pressure. Sabalenka held to start, then broke Rybakina for a 2-0 lead with two clean backhand winners. Rybakina's first-serve percentage dipped to 54%, and Sabalenka consolidated for 3-0 at the changeover, appearing in control, according to WTA reports.

Rybakina answered by breaking Sabalenka for only the second time in the match, pulling back to 3-2 and then levelling at 3-3. In the next service game, Rybakina faced a break point. Sabalenka missed the return long, and Rybakina held, keeping momentum on her side.

Australian Open women's singles final 2026: Rybakina closes out historic win

The 2025 WTA Finals Riyadh champion seized another crucial break when Sabalenka sent a forehand into the net. Serving at 4-3, Rybakina held to stretch the advantage to 5-3, moving one game from the trophy. Rybakina then served out the final, sealing the victory with an ace on match point.

Earlier, Rybakina had controlled the opening set 6-4, continuing a dominant run where no opponent had taken a set at Melbourne Park before the final. Sabalenka, however, struck back late in the second set. A vital break in the final game of that set gave Sabalenka the frame 6-4 and forced a decider.

Australian Open women's singles final 2026: Sabalenka's campaign and historic chase

Sabalenka arrived in the Australian Open women's singles final with strong form across the fortnight. The Belarusian swept past 12th seed Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-3 in the semi-finals, reaching an eighth final from the past 12 Grand Slams. Sabalenka also became one of three women to contest four straight Australian Open finals, alongside Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Martina Hingis.

A victory on this occasion would have put Sabalenka alongside nine other players with five major singles trophies, a group that includes Maria Sharapova and Hingis. Instead, Sabalenka departed with the runner-up plate, while Rybakina secured a breakthrough first Australian Open women's singles triumph.

Australian Open women's singles final 2026: Rybakina's broader Grand Slam journey

Rybakina's win added a new high point to a career that already featured the 2022 Wimbledon title. The contrast with the previous season was sharp. During last year, Rybakina did not pass the fourth round at any Grand Slam and missed every WTA 1000 final, yet now leaves Melbourne as champion.

For fans, the Australian Open women's singles final delivered a tight contest with big hitting from both players and several momentum shifts. Rybakina's ability to respond from 0-3 down in the deciding set, handle break points, and finish with an ace under pressure marked a composed performance worthy of a second major title.