Australian Open 2026 – Rybakina rules supreme in Melbourne for dream season start
Rybakina had earned her reputation as one of the tour’s finest ball strikers, and it speaks to her talent that four years between her major titles is considered a drought.
The Kazakhstan No. 1 started to regain her confidence towards the end of last season, capped off with the year-end WTA Finals title which put her in real championship contention in Melbourne.
There was a feeling of déjà-vu for Rybakina going into the third set: she had faced Sabalenka in the 2023 Australian Open final, won the first set but went on to lose. Perhaps that flashed before her eyes as a second defeat loomed over the 26-year-old.
Nonetheless, Rybakina had already produced a stellar performance throughout the match and was determined not to let it slip in the decider. A double break against the double champion swung the momentum into her favour, while a strong serving display in the closing stages saw her seal the crown with two crashing aces.
Sabalenka was crushed upon the championship point and covered her head with a towel on the bench. The World No. 1 is a runner-up for the second straight year at the Australian Open, and for the fourth time in a Grand Slam final.
Such fine margins separated the pair throughout the evening: they each won 92 points, Rybakina claimed 62 per cent of her service points to Sabalenka’s 61.5 per cent, and committed one fewer unforced error (25 to 26) than the top seed.
With Rybakina back in the top three and with an average of just 203 points to defend at the season’s remaining three Slams, she is in firm contention to challenge Sabalenka and Iga Świątek – who she beat in the quarter-finals – at the top.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.olympics.com ’
