Elena Rybakina (World No. 5) defeated American Jessica Pegula (6), but not without difficulties, 6‑3, 7‑6 (9‑7) in the semifinals at the Australian Open 2026. Kazakhstan’s top-ranked player is back in the Melbourne major final after three years and will face the same opponent she met in the 2023 final — world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
From the first rallies, Rybakina took the lead and confidently won the set with 6-3, securing a break in the second game.
However, consistency is not one of the Kazakhstani’s strong sides. After breaking in the third game of the second set, Rybakina immediately conceded the break to Pegula, then broke again, 3‑2.
Pegula, responding to the coaching staff’s guidance, tried to return to the game. In the ninth game, she saved three match points and then broke Rybakina’s serve to level the score at 5‑5. The players exchanged breaks again, bringing the set to 6‑6.
Ultimately, Rybakina secured the tiebreak 9‑7 and went on to win the match, 6‑3, 7‑6.
In the final, Rybakina will face Aryna Sabalenka. In the semifinals, the two-time Australian Open champion defeated Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina (12) in 1 hour 16 minutes, 6‑2, 6‑3. Sabalenka is also probably seeking revenge for her heavy loss in last year’s 2025 WTA Finals final in Riyadh, where she fell 3‑6, 6‑7 (0‑7).
Previously, Kazakhstani player Anna Danilina, paired with Serbia’s Aleksandra Krunić, also advanced to the doubles final.
This marks the first time Kazakhstan will be represented in two finals at a Grand Slam tournament.
