Kazakhstan’s top-ranked player Elena Rybakina defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in a dramatic final at the Australian Open with 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
Rybakina started the final without hesitation and secured a break in the opening game. Sabalenka got on the scoreboard only when she was trailing 0-2. In powerful, fast-paced rallies, the Kazakhstani player started off as the most accurate. The Belarusian struggled for a long time to find an answer to her opponent’s near-flawless shots from the baseline. No matter how hard Sabalenka tried to earn a break back, Rybakina did not allow it, taking the set 6-4.
Rod Laver Arena again saw high-level tennis in the second set of the final. The world No. 1 and the world No. 3 — with Rybakina set to rise from fifth to third in the rankings on Feb. 2 — were both at their best, holding serve throughout the set. However, at 4-4, Sabalenka came out on top in the key rallies. Mirroring the first set scoreline with a 6-4 win, the Belarusian forced the final into a decisive set.
In the third set, it seemed Sabalenka had completely taken the lead — she went up 3-0 with a break in the first game. However, Rybakina regrouped and turned the momentum, coming back to win five games in a row to lead 5-3, and later took the match 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
Avenging her loss to Sabalenka for her defeat in AO 2023, Rybakina claimed her second Grand Slam title, following Wimbledon 2022.
Total prize money for the Australian Open 2026 is AUD $111.5 million (roughly $77.6 million), up about 16% from last year.
