Sabalenka and Rybakina to face in Australian Open women’s final

Aryna Sabalenka has reached the Australian Open women’s final with a stunning 6-2, 6-3 semifinal triumph over Elina Svitolina on Thursday. 

The world number one traded 29 winners, converted four of six break points, and claimed 69 percent of her service points to mark her fourth consecutive Melbourne final. 

Elena Rybakina earned her spot by edging Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-6(9-7) in a 100-minute grinder that tested her nerve. 

The Kazakh fired 12 aces, won most ot her first-serve points in the opener, and saved three match points in the tiebreak before Pegula netted a backhand. 

Rybakina matched Sabalenka’s flawless set record, leaning on her booming serve and flat returns to reach her second major final since 2023.

Saturday’s clash will mark their 15th meeting, with Sabalenka ahead 8-6 overall and 5-3 on hard courts. 

Rybakina won their most recent encounter at the 2025 WTA Finals 6-3, 7-6(0), but Sabalenka flipped the script in the 2023 Australian Open final via 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 after a tough three sets. 

Both top the tournament charts in aces (Rybakina 52, Sabalenka 48) and winners (over 140 combined), making this weekend’s match a power-versus-power spectacle.

Sabalenka improved her serving against Svitolina, landing more reliable serves that stopped her opponent from attacking early and gave her space to control points. 

She also moved better during long exchanges, staying her ground and turning defence into offence. 

Rybakina brings the same level of power, winning most of her service games in recent matches and beating several top players in a row. 

Pegula struggled to mount a comeback against Rybakina, who stayed composed at key moments, just as many others have when faced with her relentless hitting from the back of the court.

Melbourne’s quick court rewards players who take control early, and both women are built for that style. 

Sabalenka does not shy away from heated, messy moments, often breaking her opponent’s serve when it matters most. 

Rybakina, on the other hand, is hard to stop once she starts serving well, forcing rivals to take risky shots just to stay in points. 

Their past meetings usually go on for long with close games and dramatic finishes, like the unforgettable 2023 final that went down to the wire.

Sabalenka is chasing a fifth major title to further her legacy and strengthen her position as one of the greatest players of her generation, while Rybakina is hungry for her second and hoping Melbourne finally becomes her stage.