Sabalenka And Rybakina Set For Blockbuster Australian Open Final

Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena was the epicenter of tennis drama on January 29, 2026, as the Australian Open women’s singles semi-finals delivered both intensity and high-quality play. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka continued her remarkable run Down Under, overpowering Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-3 to book her place in a fourth consecutive Australian Open final. The Belarusian’s victory, achieved in just one hour and 17 minutes, set up a blockbuster rematch with Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina, who outlasted Jessica Pegula in the other semi-final, 6-3, 7-6(7).

Sabalenka’s dominance was on full display from the first ball. With a 6-1 head-to-head record against Svitolina prior to the match, the odds were stacked in her favor. Yet, Svitolina, making her first-ever Australian Open semi-final appearance, entered the contest with the hopes of Ukraine riding on her shoulders, bringing with her a story of resilience and persistence. The tension was palpable, not just from the stakes of the match itself, but also due to the broader political context—Sabalenka hails from Belarus, a nation that has supported Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while Svitolina represents Ukraine. Though the players focused on their tennis, the undertones were impossible to ignore.

When the match got underway around 7:40 PM local time, Sabalenka wasted little time asserting her authority. She broke Svitolina early in the first set, unleashing a barrage of powerful serves and groundstrokes that left her opponent scrambling. Svitolina, for her part, fought valiantly, producing moments of brilliance—including a handful of stunning winners and a gritty hold to force Sabalenka to serve out the first set. But the defending champion was relentless, sealing the opener 6-2 with a curling backhand winner that brought the crowd to its feet.

The second set saw Svitolina mount a brief resurgence, breaking Sabalenka’s serve and surging to a 2-0 lead. But the world No. 1 quickly steadied the ship, breaking back with a flurry of winners and reeling off games behind her booming serve. A key moment came early in the match when Sabalenka was called for a hindrance due to her grunting—a rare occurrence that could have rattled many players. Instead, Sabalenka used it as fuel. "That’s actually never happened to me. Like, never happened, especially with my grunting … I don’t know how to explain it. The bounce was wrong, just like the timing. I was exhaling and it just happened naturally. Then she called it and I was like, what? What is wrong with you? I think it was the wrong call … how do I say in a nice way? She really p---ed me off, and it actually helped me and benefited my game. I was more aggressive and it really helped me to get that game. So if she ever wants to do it again, like, I want to make sure that she’s not afraid of it. Go ahead, call it," Sabalenka explained in her post-match press conference, according to The Athletic.

Svitolina, despite the defeat, found positives to take home. Her run to the semi-finals was a beacon of hope for many back in Ukraine. "It was all about the little, happy moments we shared. I was able to play well. I was able to send little messages back to Ukraine. There is lots of people who are following the matches and supporting me. This exchange of positivity is something that helps people. That’s what I get the feedback from them and for me is something unbelievable. I tried to do what’s in my power, what’s talking to my heart for them. I also know when I go back to Ukraine, I see people are really stuck in the routine. It’s dark days, gray days with so much negativity. So sports, in general, for Ukraine really unites us as a people and unites us with these great emotions. It’s much needed for our country," Svitolina reflected, as reported by The Athletic.

With the win, Sabalenka became the first woman since Serena Williams to reach four straight Australian Open finals, and she’ll be aiming for her third title in Melbourne. Her opponent, Elena Rybakina, earned her place in the final by overcoming Jessica Pegula in a tense encounter. Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has been in sensational form, not dropping a set throughout the tournament and extending her streak to eight straight wins over top-10 opponents. Her victory over Pegula was hard-fought, with the second set tiebreak providing plenty of drama for the late-night crowd.

Rybakina’s thoughts quickly turned to the upcoming final—a rematch of the 2023 championship bout, where Sabalenka prevailed. "That last match we played here, it was very close. Throughout the match I had some little opportunities, but in the end Aryna stepped in. She served much better. She deserved that win. So of course, many years have passed, a lot of matches played. Hopefully with all the experience I have got since that last final I played here, I can bring it to Saturday and do my best, focus on my serve. Since we are both very aggressive players, the serve is going to be important. I will fight until the end, and hopefully this time it goes my way," Rybakina said in her media conference.

Jessica Pegula, gracious in defeat, tipped her hat to Rybakina’s consistency and cool demeanor. "She’s always just tough. She’s so chill, she doesn’t really give you anything, and that’s hard sometimes. You’re not really sure if she’s upset or excited … in today’s game, that goes a long way. You don’t have a lot of energy to play off. How she always keeps you guessing with the serve is definitely one of her strengths. But she’s a good returner. The combination makes her frustrating to play against. I mean, we’ve already seen her beat Aryna before somewhat recently, and I think she’s one of the best players in the world when she’s healthy and confident. Right now it seems like she is," Pegula told reporters.

The anticipation for Saturday’s final is sky-high. Sabalenka and Rybakina have developed quite the rivalry, splitting their meetings last season and now set to face off for Grand Slam glory once again. Sabalenka holds an 8-6 edge in their head-to-head record, but Rybakina’s recent run and her hunger to avenge last year’s final defeat make this a tantalizing prospect for tennis fans worldwide.

Beyond the women’s singles, the Australian Open has seen plenty of other storylines. GB’s Skupski reached the men’s doubles final, while Hewett advanced to the wheelchair singles semis but fell in doubles with partner Reid. Meanwhile, tennis legend Serena Williams has left the door open for a possible comeback, keeping fans guessing about her future in the sport.

With the men’s semi-finals featuring the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic, and Jannik Sinner still to come, Melbourne Park remains the center of the tennis universe. But all eyes will be on Sabalenka and Rybakina this Saturday as they battle for the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup, each determined to etch their name in Australian Open history once more.

As the sun set on another dramatic day at the Australian Open, Sabalenka’s relentless power and Rybakina’s cool determination promised a final to remember. Tennis fans, buckle up—Saturday’s showdown is set to be a classic.